Manchester United face Roma as Carrick fights to avoid ninth game without a win

Manchester United face Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, with Michael Carrick under increasing pressure and the Red Devils on a run of nine matches without victory in all competitions.

United are 21st in the Champions League standings, while Roma sit 15th. A further defeat could prove to be Carrick’s final match in charge, less than a week after he received a vote of confidence following the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

The Manchester club are also 17th in the Premier League, clear of the relegation zone only on goal difference. They have lost their past three matches and four of their last five, having not won since beating Sabah, European competition newcomers, almost two months ago.

United showed signs of ending their poor attacking run during the first half against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, creating enough chances to lead before the interval. Amad Diallo failed to convert two good opportunities, however, and Xabi Alonso’s side were expected to improve after the break.

They did so through Morgan Rogers, who scored after a fine individual move helped by a seemingly slack United defence. Lisandro Martinez then received two yellow cards within 90 seconds, with the second bringing a penalty that Cole Palmer converted to put the game largely beyond the visitors.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma will arrive in strong form and have gone five matches unbeaten, winning four of them. They have scored at least three goals in four of those five games, although defensive weaknesses remain a concern.

Roma conceded three in a six-goal match against Napoli, two in a 4-2 win over Cagliari and another two in Saturday’s 5-2 victory against relegation-threatened Udine. The Italian side have suffered heavy defeats by United in the past, including a 7-1 loss in 2007 and a 6-2 defeat in 2021, but believe they can win at Old Trafford for the first time.

The match is also being billed around three betting selections: both teams to score and fewer than 4.5 goals at 1.97; Bruno Fernandes to score or provide an assist at 1.90; and Donyell Malen to make a decisive contribution at 1.85.

Malen has scored eight Serie A goals and is second in the scoring charts, one behind Gustavo Varela. He has also scored three times in the Champions League and supplied two assists, level with Matias Soule. With Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini unavailable, the Netherlands forward is Roma’s main attacking threat.

Martinez, despite doubts over his involvement, is expected to partner Harry Maguire, with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot at full-back. Bruno Fernandes could move wide if Youri Tielemans plays in an advanced central role, with Andrey Santos and Kobbie Mainoo forming the deeper midfield pairing. Mason Mount may join Bryan Mbeumo behind the attack, leaving Matheus Cunha among the substitutes.

Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko are absent, while Marcus Rashford and Amad will be assessed. Roma remain without Muhammed Bah, Dybala, Manu Kone, Pellegrini and Mile Svilar.

Probable teams

Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Santos; Fernandes, Tielemans, Mount; Mbeumo.

Roma: Gollini; N’Dicka, Mancini, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Soule; Malen.

United’s encouraging first half against Chelsea offered little comfort after another defeat. Their nine-game winless run, combined with Roma’s attacking form, makes the visitors the more convincing choice to deepen the pressure on Carrick.