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Loan Watch: Man United make a decision on duo ahead of Europa League resumption

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - January 31, 2018 Manchester United's Antonio Valencia, Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling clash with Tottenham's Erik Lamela and Dele Alli Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Manchester United won’t extend loan deals for Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United will not extend the loan deals of Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling with Inter Milan and Roma respectively.

Not only are United against unwilling to let them see out their Europa League campaigns at their current clubs but also from extending the loan into next season. (h/t Sky Sports)

The Red Devils are keen to offload both players permanently and are not keen on a temporary switch. The duo’s original loans were set to expire in June. However and extension was agreed upon that permitted them to stay until early August and see our the Serie A season. (h/t Sky Sports)

Manchester United will not extend Alexis Sanchez, and Chris Smalling's current loan deals with Inter Milan and Roma respectively
Chris Smalling has been brilliant at Roma

Smalling has rebuilt his reputation as a no-nonsense defender in the Italian capital. He has proven himself to be a key player for the Italian capital outfit as they fall short of a Champions League birth.

Inter, on the other hand, are still in contention to finish second. Sanchez endured a tough start to life at the San Siro. His form has significantly picked up since the restart.

Both players will be big missed for the Italian duo’s Europa League campaigns. With the competition set to resume in August, they will have to make do without their loaned stars.

Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez have done well in Italy
Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez have done well in Italy

This could work out well for United who are also in the tournament. Denying our prospective rivals top players weakens them while at the same time boosting our chances.

It makes more sense when one takes a look t the draw. We could potentially face Roma in the semifinals before possibly facing off against Inter in the final.

Whether this will force Roma and Inter’s hands to make the deals permanent remains to be seen.

More Manchester United News

United face Leicester City this weekend in a winner takes all duel for a top-four finish. If things go against us, we will have to win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Weakening our prospective opponents is a shrewd strategy. However, what effect it has in us offloading the Smalling and Sanchez remains to be seen.

Written by Pranav Nair

An Engineering postgraduate with a keen interest in statistics, pop culture and football.

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