In brief
Manchester United travel to Old Trafford to face AS Roma in a Champions League Group Stage match of 3 November 2026. The preview highlights United's nine‑match winless run and key absences such as Marcus Rashford, while Roma are missing goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielders Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Both squads are expected to line up in 4‑2‑3‑1 for United and a 3‑4‑2‑1 for Roma, but injuries remain uncertain.
Manchester United will host AS Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 3 November, for a Matchday 4 Champions League clash, with an 8 p.m. GMT kickoff. The fixture comes as United look to end a nine‑match winless streak across all competitions, while the Italian side have taken points in each of their first three group stage games, with four points from a single win.
According to IRNA, United’s predicted starting XI adopts the 4‑2‑3‑1 system that has been in use under Michael Carrick. Lammens lines up as the lone goalkeeper, while the back four consists of Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire and Dalot. Mainoo, Tielemans and (nearly‑returned) Mainoo occupy the midfield, with Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha and Mbeumo forming the attacking trio.
Roma, meanwhile, are projected by IRNA in a 3‑4‑2‑1 shape. Gollini starts between the posts with Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso, Molina, and Cristante forming a compact midfield unit. De Roon and Wesley provide width, while Soulé and Mora create chances for Malen, who is the team’s chief goal‑scorer.
Team news for United is dominated by injury concerns. Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a hip problem, while Patrick Dorgu, who has just returned to training after a hamstring strain, is not yet deemed fit for competitive football. Ger reading note: A separate source (TNT Sports) suggests that Ben Šeško, Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte are also in the injury list; Amad Diallo sustained a knock against Chelsea but is expected to play.
In addition, Lisandro Martínez is available for the Champions League after receiving a domestic suspension at Stamford Bridge, raising the question whether Carrick will deploy him or drop Mbo. Mainoo is the only midfielder expected to return to the starting line‑up after coming on against Chelsea. Tielemans has retained his spot, while Carlos Baleba could be used as a substitute if the match requires additional cover.
Roma’s injury situation is static. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is expected to remain absent until after the international break due to a lingering injury. In midfield, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini both remain sidelined, cutting further depth from a squad that has already struggled to find a settled bonuverse of the tourn. The team’s defence is left with a three‑man back line that has proved resilient in recent fixtures.
In their last two European fixtures, United came away with narrow defeats, underscoring the pressure that will be on the Albion side to change course. Roma have kept pace in the group, showing form that includes scoring at least three goals in four of the last five A‑league and non‐league matches, a trend that could translate to further podium‑position prospects in the group chart.
IRNA also notes that United’s midfield has been hobbled by a lack of continuity, with the frequent use of Samir Printsou as a stand‑in for Mainoo. The side’s tactical flexibility has seen them oscillate between a 4‑3‑3 and the 4‑2‑3‑1 that Carrick has favored in recent turns.
Roma have celebrated a four‑point haul from their first three Champions League matches, suggesting the squad can contend for progression even after a shaky defensive period. However, their overall defensive one‑stop ledger of 0–1 remains at risk if key signings and early‑season loans persist in brief.
Both teams face the prospect of unpredictable squad selection as their injury lists still carry unconfirmed recovery statuses. The Championship match also carries importance beyond the group table, potentially reversing the fortunes of the men at Old Trafford who had lost their last two European outings while Roma struggled to consolidate midfield locations.
In sum, United’s first look in the match is complicated by the need for Karlreturns across midfield, whereas Roma’s side will depend on a stable back line amid the mid‑field absences. The uncertainty around Rashford’s status, Svilar’s fitness, Dorgu’s readiness, as well as Koné and Pellegrini left on the sidelines, may ultimately shape the final lineup on the pitch.
