Malen says Roma are ready for Manchester United but must be careful

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.

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 Pierluigi Gollini has withdrawn at the last hour, so Devis Vásquez starts.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.

Roma's Primavera side drew 1-1 with Manchester United in the fourth matchday of the UEFA Youth League, with Antonio Arena equalising from the penalty spot late in the game. Coach Mattia Scala said the result was a good point, with an excellent second half and a less convincing first half. Roma started the match well and had an early chance to score. However, they began to struggle against United's passing game, which pulled them across the pitch, and they faded. United took the lead at that moment, although they did not create many big chances. Scala said the team was sorted tactically at half-time, with the players urged to show more courage. Roma brought on three forwards to push for the win. Scala described the United side as more ready than his own. Several of their players born in 2007 were already playing with their Under-21 team, and some had already made their Premier League debuts. Roma had brought many 2009-born players, so Scala said the gap was one of experience rather than technical quality. He added that United had shown themselves to be a very good side. Scala also confirmed that Arduini and Romero Corredera were called up to train with the first team after the session on the previous day. He said the club was fully available to the first team's needs, and that the staff's preparation had not changed. Scala said the team was going through a very positive period, and that he had seen many tired players who were still ready to give everything. He said the players never give up and that some of them were disappointed not to win. He described this as a sign of maturity and growth. Roma face one more match in this mini-cycle on Sunday before recharging for the restart. Arena, who scored the 1-1 penalty late in the match, said pressure was normal when trailing 1-0 with a few minutes left. He said he approached the spot-kick with great confidence, as he always tries to do, and that the point was important, away from home against a strong side. He said Roma had played a great second half, playing together, and had deserved the equaliser. On the change after the break, Arena said United had been physical and had handled Roma's pressure well in the second half of the first half. In the second half, he said, the team showed more hunger, ran more and put United under pressure. He said those who came on had done very well, whether defenders or attackers, and that the group is united and never gives up. He added that it was not the first time they had come from behind to get back into a game. Asked about disappointment, Arena said Roma always want the three points, but that sometimes a point is good too, as the match was not simple. He said the team should be happy with the draw, having suffered and played well together. Looking ahead, he noted the squad returns to Rome after leaving there last Thursday. He described the time away as a little training camp. He said two good performances had come out of it, and that the group gets on well, which he believed had done them a lot of good.

Donyell Malen has said Roma are ready for tonight's match against Manchester United and cannot wait to play. Speaking to SkySport before kickoff, the Dutch forward was asked about the state of United, who have not been getting the best results. "They have not got the best results but we know it is a good team. We have to be careful." Malen was also asked whether Roma are prepared for the evening. "Yes, we are ready. We cannot wait to play. It will be a good evening." The forward is in strong form, having scored 26 goals in 32 matches, and he hopes to add to that tally this evening. "They are good numbers, I hope I can add to them today too." On the atmosphere in the stadium, Malen said: "It is a fantastic stadium, I cannot wait to play there. It is really very beautiful, it will be a good evening."

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.

Roma supporters are making their way to Old Trafford as the anticipation builds for the fixture against Manchester United, a match Forzaroma.info describes as a fascinating clash at the 'Theatre of Dreams' and a big night of Champions League football. The Roma atmosphere is charged ahead of the game. The club's travelling fans have been chanting in procession towards the stadium, and the Roman side's supporters are said to be enthusiastic. Local coverage also highlights a pre-match concern: Pierluigi Gollini is in doubt for the match, with Rodrigo Mora and the Argentine pair Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in the line-up picture being reported as options. Roma's reserve goalkeepers, Giorgio De Marzi and Devis Vásquez, are also in the spotlight as the club's third-choice goalkeeper has become a talking point. Other coverage on the day includes a Forzaroma.info piece on the supporters' mood, which notes that Gian Piero Gasperini has appeared on a sticker in the Rome metro, and a look back at Julio Sergio, Goicoechea and Fimiani, the club's third-choice goalkeepers who have at times taken centre stage in the past. The match is due to kick off at 21:00 local time, with the report written on 3 November 2026.