Soulé: disappointment at Inter draw, adapting to left-wing role

Roma have suffered another injury blow at Old Trafford, with Devyne Rensch forced off after just 22 minutes of the Manchester United clash. The Dutch right-back, who had been handed a surprise start from the first minute on the right flank, was replaced by Emanuele Lulli, who is making his Champions League debut. The problem appears to be muscular. The setback comes only hours after Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out just a few hours before kickoff, meaning Roma have been hit by a string of late absences before a ball was kicked. Rensch's exit leaves the Giallorossi having to adjust on the right side of defence while already short in goal. Rensch joined Roma from Ajax in January 2025, and his early departure is a concern for a side already navigating a difficult run of fitness problems in Manchester.

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.

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 led Manchester United 2-0 at half-time in their Champions League league-phase fourth matchday clash at Old Trafford, with Paulo Dybala's teammate Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen on the scoresheet. Soulé opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a fine pass from Mora, and Malen doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Heaven handled Soulé's shot. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back for United in the 57th minute, after the hosts had been handed a penalty that Vásquez saved before the referee ordered a retake. Roma came into the game with four points from their first three European matches, following a convincing win over Slovan Bratislava, while United, under Michael Carrick, were on three points and in a difficult spell. Gian Piero Gasperini made changes to his starting lineup. Gollini was ruled out at the last minute, so Vásquez started in goal. Balerdi came in for Ndicka at centre-back, and Rensch won the battle for the right-back spot over Molina. Malen and Soulé were confirmed up front with Mora in support. On the United side, Lammens started in goal, with Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Diallo behind Cunha. Roma dominated the first half and had further chances to extend their lead. Soulé came close with a left-foot effort that went narrowly wide, and Cristante released Malen, whose right-foot shot was tipped away by Lammens. Bruno Fernandes also fired over from a good position. Roma's defence was tested after Rensch was forced off in the 22nd minute, with Lulli coming on in his place. Malen was booked in the 41st minute for a foul, and Lulli was booked in the 35th minute for handball. Soulé and Bruno Fernandes were both shown yellow cards in the 20th minute after a flare-up on the pitch. In the second half, Gasperini brought on Pisilli in place of Mora at the restart. Baleba was injured in the 47th minute and was replaced by Tielemans in the 50th minute. United then received a penalty in the 55th minute, when Mancini's arm contacted the ball and Cunha went down under contact. Vásquez saved Bruno Fernandes' spot kick, but the referee ordered it to be retaken, and Fernandes made no mistake the second time, in the 57th minute. Shortly afterwards, Mbeumo struck the woodwork twice. By the 65th minute, the momentum had shifted towards United, with the home crowd lifted and United reinvigorated. The match was refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano from Spain, with Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero as assistants, Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official, and Carlos del Cerro Grande on VAR. The match remained in progress at the time of the live coverage, and Roma's position in the league phase will depend on how the second half ends.

Roma travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday for a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash that could decide Michael Carrick's future at Manchester United, with the home side enduring their worst run of form since the late 1980s. United lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea on Saturday and are level on points with 18th-placed Crystal Palace in the Premier League. They are on a nine-game winless streak in all competitions (D3, L6), their worst run since 1988. Carrick's position is under scrutiny ahead of what is described as a must-win game. United beat Champions League debutants Sabah Baku 4-0, but have since lost back-to-back group-phase matches, suffering multi-goal defeats at Atletico Madrid and Como. Roma arrive in better shape. Gian Piero Gasperini's side recovered from a two-game winless start (D1, L1) to thrash Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on matchday three. That win is part of a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W4, D1), capped by a dominant 5-2 win at Udinese last weekend. Roma are unbeaten in 17 Serie A matches (W13, D4), and the Giallorossi will take the Old Trafford pitch in high spirits, seeking their maiden win on United's home ground. United have beaten Roma in all four previous meetings at the Theatre of Dreams, including a 7-1 rout in 2007, when Carrick scored a brace. The under-pressure United boss will be desperate to repeat that success, knowing anything other than a win would likely seal his fate at the club. United have won 13 of their 17 Champions League home matches against Italian opposition at Old Trafford (D1, L3) and bring a seven-game winning streak in European home games into the fixture, with each of their last four wins in that sequence seeing them score at least four goals. However, the 20-time English champions are enduring their worst-ever ten-game Champions League run (W2, D1, L7), and they have failed to score in five of their seven defeats this season. Roma's scoring has been prolific, with Gasperini's side netting two or more goals in six consecutive outings across all competitions. That run started with a 4-3 home loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and Roma have since won five straight games without defeat (W4, D1). Their domestic form has not translated to Europe, however. They have secured just two wins from their last 20 Champions League road fixtures (D6, L12) and have gone 32 successive Champions League road trips without a clean sheet. They are also seeking their first-ever away win over English opposition in the Champions League proper (D3, L7). That said, Roma have not lost any of their last six European away games (W3, D3). Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko are definite absentees for United, while Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo could be on the bench. Bryan Mbeumo is expected to lead the line amid Matheus Cunha's rough patch, with Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans behind him in Carrick's 4-2-3-1 set-up. Roma remain without Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone and first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is struggling with a thigh injury, is also out, meaning Matias Soule is likely to start behind Donyell Malen. Roma's probable lineup is Gollini; N'Dicka, Mancini, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Soule; Malen. The prediction is a Roma win.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to reshape Roma for tonight's Champions League clash away at Manchester United, with Bryan Cristante potentially moving into the attacking midfield role behind the front line. Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi reports that Niccolò Pisilli would take Cristante's place in midfield alongside Marten de Roon. The match marks the halfway point of the Champions League league phase. Cristante is expected to operate in the number ten area, although a start for Rodrigo Mora cannot be ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé remain untouchable as the front pair. On the left, Wesley is set to play, while Devyne Rensch is pushing Emanuele Lulli on the right. At the back, Gasperini will rely on his best men, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the three-man defence. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training on Monday with a heavy bandage on his right knee. Gollini is expected in goal, returning to Manchester where he spent time in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are once again out. Koné and Dybala are hoping to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not guaranteed.