Gareth Southgate watches as Tammy Abraham shoots blank as Jose Mourinho’s Roma pound Udinese

GARETH SOUTHGATE turned down a chance to watch Manchester United take on Arsenal to fly to Italy for Roma’s trip to Udinese.

The England gaffer was in the stands to watch Tammy Abraham in action for Jose Mourinho’s side.

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Although the 24-year-old shot a gap in the 4-0 thrashing of Mourinho and Co.

Abraham’s only chance of the game came in the first half but the former Chelsea man converted when the ball fell to him in the penalty area.

There was some concern for him after the break when after 70 minutes he went down and clutched his shoulder after a slip in the penalty area.

After being patched up by Roma doctors, he continued to play but was then substituted off with 13 minutes to go.

Southgate may also have had his eye on ex-Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, who played 90 minutes for the visitors.

However, it was a night to forget for Abraham and Roma as the Three Lions’ gaffer watched them being dismantled by Udinese at the Stadio Friuli.

Destiny Udogie, who joined from Tottenham this summer in an £18m deal before being loaned to Udinese, opened the scoring for the hosts.

Rui Patricio enjoyed an unforgettable night between the sticks for Roma as the former Wolves goalkeeper smashed through Lazar Samardzic’s long-range effort to score the second.

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Ex-Watford man Roberto Pereyra then added a third before Sandi Lovric completed the defeat in the 82nd minute.

Abraham has netted just once in five games for Roma this season.

He has struggled to take off in his second season with the club after sacking 27 times in all competitions last season.

Southgate has just two games left before England start their World Cup season in November.

He is currently preparing for the Nations League clashes against Italy and Germany later this month.

And Abraham has behind him Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who is knocking on the door for a call-up after his hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Leeds.

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