Radio pundits on Roma's form and their Manchester United clash at Old Trafford

Manchester United and Roma meet at Old Trafford in matchday four of the Champions League league phase, with the two sides looking to Amad Diallo and Rodrigo Mora to provide the spark behind their strikers. Roma have four points so far, while United have three, and are coming off a nightmare start to the Premier League season with Carrick's position as head coach increasingly under pressure. Diallo is one of the most unpredictable players in the United squad. The Ivorian was given his break by Gasperini at Atalanta, and he likes to start on the right before cutting inside onto his left foot, though he can also play more centrally and look for quick combinations with team-mates in the final third. In the Premier League this season he has made four appearances, all starts, for just over 300 minutes, without a goal or an assist. In the Champions League he has already provided one assist in two appearances. His attacking output is not yet at the level of his best seasons, but he remains capable of creating overloads with his dribbling and attacking the space behind the defensive line. Diallo is still doubtful because of a muscle problem, but if he recovers he could be one of United's main sources of unpredictability against Roma. Rodrigo Mora, who is younger, has already earned an important role in Gasperini's Roma and is enjoying a much more productive start in front of goal. The Portuguese, born in 2007, can play as an attacking midfielder, start from a wider position or drop deeper to help build play, using his close control, quick thinking and quality in the final pass. In Serie A he has made eight appearances, four of them starts, for 333 minutes, scoring three goals. He has also taken 11 shots in total, six on target, and made eight key passes, with a passing accuracy of 85%. In the Champions League he has played three matches for 150 minutes and has recorded one assist. The duel between the two left-footed, technical and creative players is therefore a contrast in styles: Diallo prefers the burst and the one-on-one, while Mora has so far shown greater end-product in the final third and a natural ability to find the net.

Marcus Rashford will not play against Roma tomorrow evening, with Manchester United's Carrick-led side missing him through injury, having been offered to Roma during the summer but ending the transfer interest over his wages. Roma head into the Champions League fixture against Manchester United without Dybala and Pellegrini, and their search for a left winger ended without a signing after the names of Leweling, Luiz Henrique and Nusa faded away in the final days of the transfer window. Roma's attack will be led by Mora, Malen, Soulé and Castro, and the club are dealing with an emergency situation in that department. Manchester United, by contrast, are going through one of the worst moments in their history, and Carrick faces a critical test without Shaw, Ugarte and Sesko. Rashford had trained partially with the group in the days before the match, but he has been ruled out and is not at 100 per cent fitness. The England star had been offered to Roma during the summer, with a first attempt made last year and the player, who was not bought permanently by Barcelona, proposed again a few months ago. Gian Piero Gasperini gave his approval, and there were several contacts in July. The dream ended quickly because of his high annual salary of 11 million euros, which also held back Barcelona, who ultimately decided not to make his move permanent. Rashford and Roma will not meet tomorrow evening.

Roma travel to Manchester United tomorrow evening for the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with kick-off at 21:00 Italian time. Gasperini's side will look to build on their win over Slovan Bratislava and collect points that are vital to their qualification hopes. The club has issued key information for travelling Giallorossi supporters following the game at Old Trafford. The away section is in the south-east corner of the stadium and includes sectors S229 (entrance S22) and E230, E231, E232 and E233 (entrances E30 and AE8). Ticket holders for sector S229 may only enter through entrance S22, and requests to move to sectors E230 to E233 will not be possible. Sector allocation was made randomly according to the order in which tickets were purchased. Fans may enter the stadium from two hours before kick-off and will be subject to security checks on arrival. Bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper are not permitted. Entry to the away section will not be allowed under any circumstances for those holding tickets for other sections of the stadium. On the instruction of the local authorities, the meeting point for all Roma fans is Shambles Square (Shambles Square, Cathedral Gates, Manchester, M3 1SW). From there, supporters can walk to the stadium in about 45 minutes. From 17:00 on matchday, fans may march to Old Trafford in a group. The walking route will be closely monitored by the local authorities. Those wishing to travel to the stadium independently or by public transport are advised to arrive by 18:00 to ease entry procedures and avoid queues at the turnstiles. Every fan must make sure they have downloaded their ticket before arriving at the stadium.

Former Roma left-back Max Tonetto, speaking exclusively to Retesport, said Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma share a strong identity with the side Luciano Spalletti built, with both projects built on a clear idea and a club that backs its coach. Tonetto said the results are now visible: Roma reached the Champions League in a season that brought many defeats, and the team has grown with signings made in the market. He noted that the first Spalletti team had far more difficulties. Looking ahead to Manchester United, Tonetto said the environment at Old Trafford is important, as the stadium regularly hosts Champions League football. He said Roma must impact the match in the right way, and that the first 15 minutes will be key. He added that Roma are aware of their qualities but must not give the opponent courage, because things can turn around quickly. On Gasperini, Tonetto said the coach's great philosophy is to accept no compromises: regardless of the opponent or the league position, the team always plays the same way. He said the road Gasp has taken is the right one, and that this way of playing pays off. Tonetto contrasted the two coaches: unlike Gasperini, Spalletti sought adjustments when an opponent had particular traits, while this Roma does not do that. He cited the match against Cagliari, when Mancini struggled against Fadera but the coach made no changes and kept playing the same way. The only change came in the final minutes, with Ghilardi, and Tonetto said the coach admitted he should have made it earlier. He added that all the players think in the same way. On Lulli, Tonetto called him a great discovery. He said Gasperini has worked with him since last season and that he is the ideal winger for the coach's game. He described him as the perfect stereotype: he has sprint, closes down every cross, and has an incredible engine and legs. Tonetto said he was surprised by the maturity and personality the player has shown, adding that it is not normal at his age. He said it could be a gradual path Gasperini is studying for him, or a chance from rotation, but that it will happen soon, and that the player is showing on the pitch that he is reliable, a fundamental quality for a coach. He said he did not believe there were many coaches better than Gasp at developing young players like him. Tonetto said the leap forward has been remarkable and that the fact he could be a starter is important. Tonetto also addressed the team's gaps and Niccolò Pisilli. He said the side lacks a midfielder, and that Pisilli is not, in his view, a defensive midfielder: he can do it, but lacks those characteristics, and paradoxically one would lose something in his forward movement. He called Pisilli good in many roles, adding that he will need a clearly defined identity but is on the right track with Gasp. Tonetto said he sees Pisilli as a box-to-box midfielder, closer to the trequartista zone than the holding line, and said he has already shown a lot. He said it is always pleasing to add a player from the academy, and that it is a source of pride to see him wear the captain's armband. On sending players out on loan, Tonetto said it makes sense to have this internal option, since not everyone becomes a first-rate player immediately and some need a few years, which is why the Under 23 side is useful. Asked whether Roma are a title side, Tonetto said the goal is to settle in the top part of the table. He said the same mentality must be kept, and that the final half hour of a season can make the difference in winning the Scudetto. He concluded that always being close to the top is the right path.

Radio Radio pundits have offered their views on Roma's upcoming clash with Manchester United, with several saying the moment is favourable for the Giallorossi. Matera said Gasperini had expressed hope of a result, but that it would not be easy, as nobody had yet joined in that optimism. He argued that Roma face a Manchester side in evident difficulty, giving the team an opportunity to pick up points where they might not have seemed likely to before. He said that whoever comes into the side is making a contribution, and that with the players available the team cannot change much more than it already has. Matera said he did not know whether Lulli would get the chance to make his debut against Manchester at Old Trafford. He described the squad as short, noting that Mora had played against Udinese, and added: "I expect a De Roon–Cristante partnership with Pisilli." Carina said: "It is the best moment to face Manchester." She pointed out that Roma have lost all four previous meetings, including the heavy 7-1 defeat, and said those defeats had hurt, so now there is a chance to do well. She described Roma as a pleasure to watch, a side that always wants to score more goals and can trouble any team in the world for as long as their legs hold up. On Dybala, she recalled that the first diagnosis said it was nothing, then it became fatigue, then a hardening, before becoming a tear. She said that what was initially a muscular strain had cost him seven matches. Carina added that she felt the club were navigating from one game to the next, listing Cagliari, Udinese and Manchester, and said Dybala would probably be seen again after the international break. Pruzzo said: "Manchester look like a second-tier side. Against Como they did very badly; it is a team that has switched off. It is an opportunity to seize, without thinking we are much stronger than our opponents. The squad is in full health and I think there are prospects to keep doing well." Orsi said: "It is the best moment to face Manchester, but I don't know... they can find the right day and not lose. This is the best moment, but you always play against United at Old Trafford: you must not take it lightly, you must always produce a great match. On the win I don't know if you can be sure: Manchester are in crisis, so Roma must win for certain."

Nine months after their last visit to Udine, Roma are a different side: authoritative, overwhelming and capable of playing at relentless tempo with an intensity that eventually overwhelms their opponents. Much of the transformation comes from the work done on the training ground, even though the squad, enriched in quality, is still missing a couple of key pieces. Gian Piero Gasperini has managed to deepen the squad over recent weeks, shaping and developing several players despite a run of injuries to Svilar, Koné, Cristante, Dybala and Pellegrini that would have halted any club in Serie A. Today, anyone who takes the pitch, writes Stefano Carina in Il Messaggero, does not leave fans longing for those on the bench. From Lulli to Ghilardi, passing through Mora, Rensch, Castro and Balerdi, each player who gets his chance is able to take a leading role in turn. The acceleration has come without Dybala, who was the team's guiding light before a calf problem sidelined him. That setback has allowed Soulé to shine again. Soulé is a paradox in himself. Over the summer, every effort was made to sell him. Today, alongside the "monster" Malen, who has scored 22 goals in 2026, the most of any striker in Europe this year, ahead of Yamal, Mbappé, Haaland, Raphinha and Ballon d'Or winner Kane, he is the extra man, the player capable of carrying the team on his shoulders. A leader, something he was long accused of not being. Another piece of Gasperini magic.

An analysis piece asks whether Roma can genuinely challenge for the Scudetto, arguing that after ten Serie A matchdays Inter are slipping often while Roma are the side offering the most guarantees. The column, written by Francesco Balzani and published on 2 November 2026, invites readers to consider whether the title is a realistic target, perhaps with a helping hand from the Friedkin Group. The piece frames the title race around Inter's inconsistency and Roma's steadiness over the first ten rounds of the 2026-27 campaign. The argument is that Roma have shown the most reliability of the leading contenders, which is why the question of believing in the Scudetto is being put to supporters directly. The article is a short opinion column, and it closes with a call for readers to give their view on whether Roma can win the championship. Related headlines on the same page cover Gasperini managing his energy ahead of a Manchester trip, and Gollini returning to face Manchester, with Balerdi tipped to start against United by a radio pundit.

Roma radio pundits split on whether Gian Piero Gasperini should keep Gianluca Mancini in the back three or give the starting role to Daniele Ghilardi, while also discussing Manchester United's slump ahead of the Champions League meeting. David Rossi of Rete Sport argued that Ghilardi should play, saying: "Ghilardi deve giocare, non Mancini, sia per un discorso difensivo che offensivo." He pointed to Ghilardi's recent form, with two goals in the last two matches, one of them disallowed, and a decisive assist against Cagliari, adding that he had been the best player on the pitch at Lecce. Rossi said Mancini's continued selection was a dressing-room decision, noting that Gasperini had asked for new contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. The debate sits against a strong run for the club. Roma have six matches in a row behind them and have reached the seventh game of a run of nine, which Lorenzo Pes noted with a squad stretched thin. Pes also pointed out that against the same opponents as last season, Roma have seven more points this year. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said the team was showing strong attitude and that Roma were clearly superior to recent years, adding: "non bisogna aver timore di pensare alla vittoria del titolo." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo argued that either Roma or Inter would win the Scudetto, and that a stadium project and a Scudetto would make the Friedkins historic. On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini expected some rotation, with Marten de Roon expected to start because he is due at the press conference, and Niccolò Pisilli seen taking Rodrigo Mora's place. Piacentini said Wesley would not play if Gasperini had seen his social media activity. Pes saw Leonardo Balerdi starting in place of Mario Hermoso, with Devyne Rensch as a card the fans underestimate, and expected the three midfielders to return with Mora coming on during the game. Corsi also argued that Bryan Cristante had become more important than Manu Koné. On Manchester United, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Lo United ha staccato la spina", describing them as weakened and unable to motivate anyone under former player Carrick, and calling it an opportunity to exploit. Nando Orsi warned that Old Trafford is always difficult, saying: "Non so se è sicura la vittoria della Roma." Mario Mattioli added that the team must take the game seriously, that entering Old Trafford is intimidating, and that Roma should avoid thinking only of avenging the seven goals conceded. Piero Torri said a win at Manchester would put Roma three-quarters of the way towards a play-off place, while noting that Inter depend heavily on Lautaro Martínez. The programme also covered refereeing controversies, including a revoked penalty in Como-Venezia that Alessio Nardo called inexplicable, and a player struck in the face in Lazio-Cagliari. Roma's next match is the trip to Manchester United in the Champions League.

Roma travel to Old Trafford for tomorrow evening's Champions League clash against Manchester United, a fixture that could shape their route towards the play-offs. Il Messaggero reports that Roma have struggled at this ground, losing all four previous visits, some by heavy margins. This time, though, the picture is different: Manchester United are third from bottom in the Premier League and going through a difficult spell, and English fans on social media fear another heavy defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini is not underestimating the opponent, however, and has to deal with several injuries. Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar will all miss the match. Dybala and Koné will try to recover for the Sassuolo fixture, while Svilar will not return until after the international break. Gollini is expected to continue in goal, having previously worn the Manchester United shirt. In defence, Evan N'Dicka, the returning Gianluca Mancini and one of Leonardo Balerdi or Mario Hermoso are set to start. Cristante and De Roon will form the midfield pairing. Wesley, closely watched by English scouts, is set to operate on the left, while the right-hand position remains an open contest. Without Dybala, Malen leads the attack: he has three goals and two assists in three European matches, and is eager to perform at a stadium where he previously played a few minutes for Aston Villa. Soulé will partner him, while the final place in the front three is between Mora, who is improving, and Pisilli, who wants to win back his place after resting in Udine. Roma finished their previous match in Udine strongly, and the squad now travels to England to prepare for the Champions League tie against Manchester United. The Old Trafford game is the first of the two visits, and the result is expected to weigh heavily on Roma's chances of reaching the play-offs.

Roma radio pundits split on whether Gian Piero Gasperini should keep Gianluca Mancini in the back three or give the starting role to Daniele Ghilardi, while also discussing Manchester United's slump ahead of the Champions League meeting. David Rossi of Rete Sport argued that Ghilardi should play, saying: "Ghilardi deve giocare, non Mancini, sia per un discorso difensivo che offensivo." He pointed to Ghilardi's recent form, with two goals in the last two matches, one of them disallowed, and a decisive assist against Cagliari, adding that he had been the best player on the pitch at Lecce. Rossi said Mancini's continued selection was a dressing-room decision, noting that Gasperini had asked for new contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. The debate sits against a strong run for the club. Roma have six matches in a row behind them and have reached the seventh game of a run of nine, which Lorenzo Pes noted with a squad stretched thin. Pes also pointed out that against the same opponents as last season, Roma have seven more points this year. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said the team was showing strong attitude and that Roma were clearly superior to recent years, adding: "non bisogna aver timore di pensare alla vittoria del titolo." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo argued that either Roma or Inter would win the Scudetto, and that a stadium project and a Scudetto would make the Friedkins historic. On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini expected some rotation, with Marten de Roon expected to start because he is due at the press conference, and Niccolò Pisilli seen taking Rodrigo Mora's place. Piacentini said Wesley would not play if Gasperini had seen his social media activity. Pes saw Leonardo Balerdi starting in place of Mario Hermoso, with Devyne Rensch as a card the fans underestimate, and expected the three midfielders to return with Mora coming on during the game. Corsi also argued that Bryan Cristante had become more important than Manu Koné. On Manchester United, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Lo United ha staccato la spina", describing them as weakened and unable to motivate anyone under former player Carrick, and calling it an opportunity to exploit. Nando Orsi warned that Old Trafford is always difficult, saying: "Non so se è sicura la vittoria della Roma." Mario Mattioli added that the team must take the game seriously, that entering Old Trafford is intimidating, and that Roma should avoid thinking only of avenging the seven goals conceded. Piero Torri said a win at Manchester would put Roma three-quarters of the way towards a play-off place, while noting that Inter depend heavily on Lautaro Martínez. The programme also covered refereeing controversies, including a revoked penalty in Como-Venezia that Alessio Nardo called inexplicable, and a player struck in the face in Lazio-Cagliari. Roma's next match is the trip to Manchester United in the Champions League.

Roma travel to Old Trafford for tomorrow evening's Champions League clash against Manchester United, a fixture that could shape their route towards the play-offs. Il Messaggero reports that Roma have struggled at this ground, losing all four previous visits, some by heavy margins. This time, though, the picture is different: Manchester United are third from bottom in the Premier League and going through a difficult spell, and English fans on social media fear another heavy defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini is not underestimating the opponent, however, and has to deal with several injuries. Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar will all miss the match. Dybala and Koné will try to recover for the Sassuolo fixture, while Svilar will not return until after the international break. Gollini is expected to continue in goal, having previously worn the Manchester United shirt. In defence, Evan N'Dicka, the returning Gianluca Mancini and one of Leonardo Balerdi or Mario Hermoso are set to start. Cristante and De Roon will form the midfield pairing. Wesley, closely watched by English scouts, is set to operate on the left, while the right-hand position remains an open contest. Without Dybala, Malen leads the attack: he has three goals and two assists in three European matches, and is eager to perform at a stadium where he previously played a few minutes for Aston Villa. Soulé will partner him, while the final place in the front three is between Mora, who is improving, and Pisilli, who wants to win back his place after resting in Udine. Roma finished their previous match in Udine strongly, and the squad now travels to England to prepare for the Champions League tie against Manchester United. The Old Trafford game is the first of the two visits, and the result is expected to weigh heavily on Roma's chances of reaching the play-offs.

Roma have left Udine and travelled to Manchester, where they face Manchester United at Old Trafford, and the squad is preparing for the trip. The side will train in the hotel gym in the morning before a pre-match training session at Old Trafford at 19:00 Italian time. Roma have a poor record at the ground, having lost all four previous meetings, including heavy defeats of 7-1 and 6-2. The Red Devils are less intimidating than in the past, and some England fans on social media reportedly fear a 7-1 scoreline is possible, although United sit third from bottom in the Premier League. Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make some changes at the back. Gianluca Mancini returns to the starting line-up from the first minute on the centre-left after a rest, with N'Dicka alongside him and either Balerdi or Hermoso on the other side. Niccolò Pisilli, who rested during the Bluenergy Stadium game, is pushing for a start and dreams of another big European night. In midfield, Cristante and de Roon are expected to pair up. On the right, Lulli, Molina and Rensch are in a contest for the spot. Gasperini will decide the team on matchday, as is his habit. It is the last push before the international break, and the coach will again try to manage his players' energy levels. The report, published by Il Messaggero, describes the Old Trafford venue as the Theatre of Dreams, which for Roma has been a theatre of nightmares in past years. Mancini and his teammates will be aiming to end that run in the coming game.