Soulé: No need to despair after Inter setback

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 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 supporters are making their way to Old Trafford as the anticipation builds for the fixture against Manchester United, a match Forzaroma.info describes as a fascinating clash at the 'Theatre of Dreams' and a big night of Champions League football. The Roma atmosphere is charged ahead of the game. The club's travelling fans have been chanting in procession towards the stadium, and the Roman side's supporters are said to be enthusiastic. Local coverage also highlights a pre-match concern: Pierluigi Gollini is in doubt for the match, with Rodrigo Mora and the Argentine pair Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in the line-up picture being reported as options. Roma's reserve goalkeepers, Giorgio De Marzi and Devis Vásquez, are also in the spotlight as the club's third-choice goalkeeper has become a talking point. Other coverage on the day includes a Forzaroma.info piece on the supporters' mood, which notes that Gian Piero Gasperini has appeared on a sticker in the Rome metro, and a look back at Julio Sergio, Goicoechea and Fimiani, the club's third-choice goalkeepers who have at times taken centre stage in the past. The match is due to kick off at 21:00 local time, with the report written on 3 November 2026.