Roma defender Chris Smalling insists his relationship with boss Jose Mourinho is undisputed after the media tried to link the past.

         The 31-year-old defender moved to Wolves and has become a key defender under Paulo Fonseca, but the arrival of Jose Mourinho has raised question marks after the pair’s troubled days. Address Manchester United

         However, Smalling insisted there was no problem. They are also optimistic that working together in the past is an advantage.

         “If the manager doesn’t mention you and doesn’t want you to play or push you. That’s the time for you to worry because he will stop caring about you. He doesn’t want you involved and he doesn’t want you to play,” Smalling told the BBC.

         “He was an innate winner. He likes to push everyone to their limits. That’s what he did throughout his career, and it worked. Many of us were quite surprised. But there is excitement for everyone as well.”

         “I know the media will make up something about our relationship in the past. But from a personal point of view it’s a good thing because I’ve played under his team before.

         “We won the title together. He also made me captain in the final – the 2017 EFL Cup – so it’s nice to have the opportunity to play under someone you know. It’s good to be successful and always be determined to win trophies.”

         “I know how big it is to bring trophies to the club. Jose’s history shows the club has picked the perfect man to do so.”