Roma face Manchester United at Old Trafford despite a depleted roster of stars.
The Giallorossi arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday night for a high-stakes Champions League showdown against Manchester United. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed on Monday that only seventeen outfield players travelled to Manchester, a direct consequence of a congested fixture calendar.
Roma’s limited squad and recent surge
Key names such as Paulo Dybala, goalkeeper Mile Svilar, forward Manu Kone and playmaker Lorenzo Pellegrini have been absent in recent weeks. Despite these vacancies, the team has not slipped in form: they have claimed victory in four of their last five matches across all competitions.
The most striking result came on Saturday, when Roma delivered a 5-2 demolition of struggling Udinese in Serie A, propelling them to third place in the league.
In preparation for the English leg, the squad convened in Udine, completing a brief training session before boarding for Manchester.
This itinerary highlights the physical demands placed on the squad, yet the recent run suggests a resilient mentality capable of handling adversity.
Manchester United’s turmoil and the Old Trafford atmosphere
Across the channel, Manchester United grapple with a nine-game winless streak—their poorest sequence since the 1988/89 season. The club appears to be in a crisis, with managerial pressure mounting as results continue to falter.
Gasperini, speaking on Monday evening, emphasized that United’s current form should not distract his side. “Obviously Manchester United is struggling somewhat in terms of results in the Premier League at the moment,” he said, before adding, “but we can’t get distracted and too hung up on that situation because we know that Manchester United is a strong team, we know that they have top players in their squad.” He further noted the electrifying ambience that Old Trafford consistently offers, insisting Roma will treat the match as if United were performing at peak level.
The Italian manager also paid tribute to former United midfielder Paul Carrick, describing him as “a great midfielder, a great passer of the ball, understood the game very well” and acknowledging the legacy of United’s historically powerful sides.
With the stage set, both clubs recognize the magnitude of the encounter. Roma aims to translate its recent domestic dominance into European success, while United hopes to halt their slide and re-ignite confidence before the league season resumes.
