Roma train at Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United clash, Balerdi available despite knee strapping

Roma are two goals up at Old Trafford after 20 minutes of the Champions League league-phase match against Manchester United, but Gian Piero Gasperini has been dealt another injury blow. Devyne Rensch collapsed to the ground in the 20th minute with a muscle problem and was unable to continue. Emanuele Lulli came on in his place. The setback adds to Gasperini's growing list of injured players. Roma have made a strong start, and the loss of Rensch comes at a time when the squad is already stretched. His condition will be assessed in the coming days. The Dutch defender was forced off early in the first half after going down with what appeared to be a muscular problem. Roma's opening 20 minutes were described as extraordinary, with the Giallorossi already ahead by two goals before the injury took its toll.

A Roma fan was arrested after tension outside Old Trafford before the away section entered the stadium, with Roma supporters clashing with English police at the entrance. The away end then fell silent for fifteen minutes with banners turned upside down, before the ultras began singing and urging the team on. Roma were already 2-0 up against Manchester United by the 17th minute. The ultras' silent protest came during the Manchester United fixture, with the Roma section showing their displeasure at the policing before the game. Away from the stadium, the day passed without any clashes in the city. Over three thousand Roma supporters in the English city marched to the ground together without particular problems. The incident happened in the period before kick-off, when a group of Giallorossi fans came into contact with the English police. The away section remained silent for the first quarter of an hour, with the banners reversed, before the travelling support roared the team on as Roma took control of the match.

Roma are at Old Trafford to face Manchester United in matchday four of the Champions League league phase, and the match was marked by a penalty awarded against Heaven. Spanish referee Gil Manzano is in charge, with assistants Ayuso and Barbero. Munuera is the fourth official, while Del Cerro Grande is the VAR with Fernandez as assistant VAR. In the 16th minute, Heaven handled Soulé's shot, and Gil Manzano pointed to the spot. The VAR conducted a silent check, which inevitably confirmed the penalty. The incident came after a sharp early flashpoint: in the 19th minute, Soulé and Bruno Fernandes were both booked after a bust-up following a throw-in. Soulé was angry with the Portuguese midfielder, who had not kicked the ball out with Rensch on the ground. The handball and the booking of Soulé made for a tense opening for Roma at a difficult venue in the Champions League. Soulé, who was involved in both the penalty chance and the dispute, was at the centre of the early action.

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 head to Old Trafford tonight for their Champions League League Phase fourth-matchday fixture against Manchester United, with the official line-ups now confirmed. Devis Vásquez is in goal, and Devyne Rensch and Leonardo Balerdi are both back in the starting side. The referee is the Spaniard Jesús Gil Manzano. Roma arrive after a 5-2 win over Udinese and face a Manchester United side led by Carrick. The Red Devils have had significant injury problems this early in the season and are still searching for their game. Gasperini's side are preparing for the atmosphere of Old Trafford, a ground where the Giallorossi have not always fared well. Tonight is a chance for Roma to show their character and respond to their recent form. The last visit to Old Trafford is a painful memory for Roma supporters. On 10 April 2007, 19 years ago, Manchester United beat the Giallorossi, then coached by Luciano Spalletti, 7-1, with De Rossi the only Roma scorer. Antonello Venditti's song lyric, "Notti di sogni, di coppe e di campioni" ("Nights of dreams, of cups and of champions"), captures the mix of hope and anxiety that surrounds European evenings in the Roma family. Among the fans, the feeling is that tonight is a night for answers, a night for the kind of performance that defines Roma.

Argentina boss Scaloni has called up Roma trio Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro for the national team's upcoming friendlies. Argentina face Uruguay and Costa Rica in the coming weeks. Soulé, Balerdi and Castro are all current Roma players, and their selection is a boost for the Giallorossi with the internationals approaching. Each will now join up with Argentina's squad ahead of the matches.