Chris Smalling found the penalty decision after his coming together with Edinson Cavani ‘bizarre’ and was visibly disappointed after Manchester United demolished his Roma side 6-2 at Old Trafford.
Roma took a 2-1 lead into half-time after poor defensive errors cost United but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side came out firing after the break to blow the Italian giants away with five unanswered goals.
United’s fourth, perhaps a decisive goal in the tie, came after ex-Red defender Smalling was adjudged to have felled Edinson Cavani after a seemingly innocuous tackle from behind.
Fernandes emphatically netted the resulting penalty and United went on to compound Roma’s misery with goals from Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood.
Smalling had only just recovered from a long-term knee injury to feature at Old Trafford and undoubtedly would have received a good reception from a home crowd.
But it turned out to be a night to forget as United ran riot in the late stages.
The defender admits his Roma team have a mountain to climb if they are to progress through to the Europa League final.
Listen to a frustrated Smalling’s post-match thoughts below. Footage courtesy of BeIN Sport.
Smalling disappointed to concede "bizarre" penalty on Old Trafford return.#beINUEL #MUNROM pic.twitter.com/HzDqWt2DRk
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 29, 2021
READ MORE: (Video) Solskjaer explains change after half-time as Man United thrash Roma
thats good smalling u costed us a lot during ur time here with lot of own goals i think it was time to repay us.