Malen eager for Manchester United clash, warns Roma must stay alert

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to reporters at Old Trafford in the minutes before kickoff of Manchester United against Roma, a match in matchday four of the Champions League league phase. Asked how long the journey to the stadium had taken, D'Amico said: "More than expected, without escorts. These things happen..." On goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, D'Amico explained what happened: "This morning he had a strong backache. We tried to recover him, but nothing. We have confidence in Vasquez." Roma are therefore turning to Devis Vásquez between the posts, with the club's four goalkeepers now including him as an option for the fixture. Asked about what kind of goalkeeper Vásquez is and what guarantees he can offer, D'Amico said: "Certainly it is an opportunity. He is part of the four goalkeepers we have. He will play the match well, it will be a great opportunity and we are confident he can have a good game."

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has spoken ahead of his side's clash with Roma, saying the match means a great deal and that he has fond memories of playing against Roma in this competition over the years. Speaking to Sky Sport before kick-off, Carrick said: "It means a lot, this competition is important. I have played against Roma a few times in this competition over the years and I have good memories. They were a very good team and they still are. We were very impressed watching their start to the season, which has been very positive. We know we have a tough game tonight." Carrick said his side wanted to produce a good performance and secure a good result for their own reasons. He praised Roma's approach, adding: "They play very intense football and ask a lot of questions. They press a lot and they are good on the ball. They are a complete team, and we have to do a lot and give our best to win the game." The comments underline the importance of the fixture for United, with Carrick stressing the quality of the opposition and the demands his side face on the night.

Manchester United manager Carrick says Wednesday's Champions League clash with Roma means a lot to his side. Speaking before the match, which is the fourth matchday of the league phase, he said the competition is important to the club. "It means a lot, this competition is important. I played against Roma and I have good memories. We were a good team and we still are. It will be a tough match tonight." Carrick said a good result would be excellent for United. He praised Roma's approach, describing them as an intense side that presses hard and a complete team. The Manchester United boss said his players will have to give their best, adding: "We want to win." The fixture is Manchester United against Roma, a fourth-round encounter in the UEFA Champions League.

Donyell Malen says Roma are ready for their Champions League fixture at Manchester United, which is the fourth matchday of the league phase, but insists the squad must be careful. Asked about United's current form, Malen said they are not getting the best results but are a good side, so Roma have to be careful. Malen is an established part of the Roma squad, and his comments come ahead of a difficult away trip in the Champions League. He is looking forward to the occasion at Old Trafford and sees the match as a test of Roma's focus against a side that remains dangerous despite its recent results. Asked whether Roma are ready, Malen said: "Yes, we are ready. I can't wait to play. It will be a great evening." On the numbers he has posted, he said: "Yes, those are good numbers. I hope I can add to them today." Asked about the atmosphere at Old Trafford, he said: "It's a fantastic stadium, I can't wait to play there. It will be a great evening."

Roma led 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Champions League League Phase fourth matchday, with Paulo Dybala's teammates Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen on target against Manchester United. Soulé opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and Malen doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Heaven handled Soulé's shot. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrived in Manchester with four points from their first three European matches, following a convincing win over Slovan Bratislava. Manchester United, coached by Michael Carrick, were on three points and going through a difficult spell. The match was the fourth matchday of the League Phase. The early stages were lively. Soulé and Bruno Fernandes were both booked in the 20th minute after a flare-up on the pitch. Roma were forced into a change in the 22nd minute, with Rensch unable to continue and Lulli coming on. Baleba tested the Roma defence from distance in the 26th minute, but his effort from the edge of the box flew high. Roma had started brightly, keeping the ball well in the opening minutes. Gasperini named Balerdi in place of N'Dicka, while Rensch won the battle for the right-back berth ahead of Molina. Mora kept his place alongside Soulé and Malen in attack. Vásquez started in goal after Gollini was ruled out, and the team lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Manchester United lined up in a 4-2-3-1: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot; Mainoo, Baleba; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Diallo; Cunha. The match was refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano of Spain, with assistants Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero. The fourth official was Juan Martínez Munuera, while Carlos del Cerro Grande was the VAR and Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez the assistant VAR. Roma remain in the match with a two-goal advantage at the time of reporting, with the second half still to come.

Roma head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, coached by Carrick, in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gasperini forced into a change in goal. Pierluigi Gollini has withdrawn at the last hour, so Devis Vásquez starts. Leonardo Balerdi comes in at centre-back instead of Evan N'Dicka, and Devyne Rensch is the right wing-back. Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are on the bench. The midfield and attack are unchanged, with Rodrigo Mora starting from the first minute. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lammens in goal, Yoro, Maguire, Heaven and Dalot in defence, Mainoo and Baleba in midfield, Cunha, Fernandes and Diallo behind Mbeumo. Roma play a 3-4-2-1, with Vásquez; Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso at the back; Rensch, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Mora in support of Malen up front. United's bench includes Darlow, Heaton, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Mount, Tielemans, Santos, Lacey, Fletcher, Amass and Zirkzee. Roma's bench features De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Pisilli, Ghilardi, Molina, Lulli, Di Nunzio and Castro.