Roma pursue Molina as Atlético Madrid consider exits

Matías Soulé, who looked set to leave Roma in the summer, has become one of the most important players in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and, alongside Malen, one of the team's technical leaders. The Argentine was for a long time at the centre of transfer talk, with a €35 million valuation considered excessive by potential suitors and loan-with-option hypotheses also floated. In the end he stayed. According to Il Messaggero, Soulé's growth has coincided, almost paradoxically, with the absence of Paulo Dybala. A similar situation arose last season, when the Argentine carried Roma through the first half of the campaign, scoring seven goals before being halted by a groin problem (pubalgia). This time, Soulé appears to have taken a further step forward, particularly in personality and consistency of performances. His position helps him. Starting from the right, he can move inside onto his left foot and make the most of his qualities. It is not only a tactical matter, though. With Dybala sidelined, Soulé has taken on more responsibility, and team-mates have begun looking for him more often, recognising him as the main creative reference behind Malen. The result is a more confident, involved and decisive player. The leadership that once seemed to be missing has become one of his most evident qualities. Only a few months ago Roma were ready to seriously consider selling him; today, it would be hard to imagine Gasperini's side without the Argentine talent. The transformation is also a success for Gasperini, who has got the best out of a player who seemed to have a future away from the capital. Perhaps the real signing of the summer market, at least as far as Soulé is concerned, was simply not selling him.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his Roma side not to underestimate Manchester United ahead of the Champions League tie, despite the English club's poor run of results. On injuries, Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar are unlikely to return before the international break, although there remains a chance for the Sassuolo fixture. Rodrigo Mora is available, but team selection will be decided at the last moment. Donyell Malen is enjoying a remarkable spell: he has scored 22 goals in 27 Serie A matches in the calendar year, more than Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in their respective leagues. No player has scored more than him across Europe's top five leagues in that period, a transformation the article credits to his work under Gasperini. At Manchester United, Michael Carrick has gone nine matches without a win, and his position is increasingly under pressure. United were beaten 4-1 by Como, coached by Fabregas, a result that exposed gaps between midfield and defence. Nico Paz took advantage with two goals and an assist, and Roma's Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen are considered capable of exploiting the same weakness. Carrick has rejected the idea that he will be dismissed after the Roma game, saying: “Non penso che sarà così” (“I don't think that will be the case”). Dorgu and Luke Shaw are confirmed absent, while Marcus Rashford is doubtful. Carrick also recalled United's 7-1 win of 2007, calling it “una delle notti più belle della mia carriera” (“one of the best nights of my career”). Marten de Roon acknowledged the mistakes Roma made against Real Madrid, saying the side was immature in that match but is still developing. He said: “Vogliamo dare continuità alle prestazioni” (“We want to give continuity to our performances”). He also thanked supporters, adding: “Mi ha fatto piacere essere applaudito contro il Cagliari” (“It was nice to be applauded against Cagliari”). Elsewhere, Turkish press report that Greenwood had a tense exchange with Fenerbahçe president Yıldırım, asking his father and agent to find him another club. The bust-up followed his controversial omission against Göztepe. There has been no official rupture, and the club has attributed the absence to a flu-like illness. On the transfer front, Roma are reportedly monitoring Gabriel Sara, the Brazilian born in 1999 who plays for Galatasaray, with a view to a January move. Napoli, Newcastle and Everton are also said to be interested, with the English clubs reportedly ready to spend around €30 million, though only interest has been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, former Roma coach Fonseca is close to leaving Lyon to return to Portugal with Sporting. He broke down in tears after Lyon's win over Angers, embraced by his players. An agreement with Sporting is reportedly close but not yet official. If it goes through, Fonseca will face Roma as an opponent on 8 December in the Champions League.

Barcelona have decided to sell left-back Alejandro Balde, who is finding game time increasingly hard to come by in La Liga, and Manchester United are now reportedly in the running for the Spanish wing-back alongside Roma, according to ElNacional.cat. The reports describe interest rather than a concrete negotiation. Balde has never started a match for Barcelona, and coach Flick has reportedly opened the door to his departure. Roma's interest is not new: the left-back profile was linked to the Giallorossi in the previous weeks as well. Balde would be an alternative to Oosterwolde for the left-back berth in Roma's defence. The article adds that Balde's profile has been mentioned in connection with Roma before, and that the left-side options under consideration include Balde as a replacement for Oosterwolde in the lower band of the defence.

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.

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.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight, Tuesday 3 November, for a Champions League League Phase matchday four clash against Manchester United, coached by Michael Carrick, with kickoff at 21:00. Both sides have high stakes for their European campaigns. Roma come into the game full of confidence after a 5-2 win at Udinese and have taken four points from their first three Champions League matches, drawing with Fenerbahçe, losing to Real Madrid and beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0. Manchester United have three points and are going through a difficult spell: they have not won in nine matches across the league and cup, and Carrick's position is under pressure. Carrick has Yoro available again in Europe, while Dorgu, Shaw, Ugarte and Šeško are out and Rashford is a fitness doubt. Lammens is expected in goal, with Yoro, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Dalot in front of him. Mainoo and Andrey Santos are favoured in midfield, with Mbeumo, Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes supporting Matheus Cunha. Gasperini still has to do without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. Gollini is confirmed in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in front of him. Lulli is favoured over Molina at right wing-back, while Wesley plays on the left. De Roon and Pisilli are set to fill the midfield, and Cristante could be pushed into a more advanced role alongside Soulé, behind Malen. The match is broadcast exclusively on Sky. It will be shown on Sky Sport Arena and Sky Sport 253, and streamed on Sky Go and NOW. Fabio Caressa will commentate, with expert analysis from Beppe Bergomi. Bookmakers make it a balanced contest with Manchester United slightly favoured. Bwin price the home win at 2.35, the draw at 3.75 and a Roma win at 2.75, while Eurobet offer 2.30 for a United win and 2.65 for a Roma win. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score are strongly fancied. The 1-1 scoreline is the shortest correct score at around 7.80, followed by a 2-1 United win and a 1-2 Roma win. Given the form of both sides, Roma have real chances of a result, but a draw with goals looks the most cautious outcome. Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain) referees, assisted by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero, with Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official, Carlos del Cerro Grande on VAR and Guillermo Cuadra Fernández as assistant VAR.