Roma eye revenge at Old Trafford as Manchester United struggle

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Donyell Malen could make a timely statement tonight, with Roma at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a win putting the club well on the way to the Champions League playoffs. Writing in Il Corriere della Sera, Davide Stoppini describes Malen as a player who was pushed out of the Premier League because he felt he was not understood. He wanted to play as a centre-forward but was deployed on the right wing, a waste in Stoppini's view. Stoppini suggests Malen can avenge Totti and Dzeko and confront the memories of Roma's 7-1 and 6-2 defeats at Old Trafford. Malen has already shown he can deliver in the biggest games: he scored against Real Madrid, answering those who said he does not score in major matches. At this stadium, however, he is almost a debutant, with a single appearance, lasting six minutes, in May 2025. Stoppini argues that Malen has a chance to write a new story here and to prove that he was misjudged in this city and across England. The stakes are clear. Roma are pushing for a playoff place, and a victory tonight would make a big difference. Stoppini's column frames the match as an opportunity for Malen to prove both himself and the wider football world wrong about his ability in the biggest fixtures.

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the side that beat Udinese in Serie A three days ago. Pisilli is tipped to edge out Mora for a place in the midfield behind the front line. Mancini is set to return to the starting defence, alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso in a three-man back line. Wesley and Cristante are expected to keep their places, with De Roon in the middle of the midfield. Soulé and Malen are predicted to start up front alongside Pisilli in the 3-4-2-1 system. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. The predicted line-ups differ on the wing-back and full-back spots. Some papers pick Lulli on the left, others Rensch, and others Molina. Il Romanista goes with Balerdi on the left of the defence. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Corriere dello Sport all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lulli or Molina on the flanks. Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both pick Rensch, while Romanews.Euroma and Corriere dello Sport go with Molina. For Gasperini, the choice on the flanks and in midfield will determine how Roma line up against the Premier League side at Old Trafford.