ITALY – OCTOBER 21: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick at half time of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Stage MD3 match between Como 1907 and Manchester United at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on October 21, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick admits Roma are a ‘really good team’ and will put Manchester United under pressure in the Champions League tonight as he explains some of his unusual selections.
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CEST) at Old Trafford.
You can follow all the preparations and action from this game and Feyenoord – Inter on Liveblog.
Lenny Yoro is available again after being suspended against Como, but Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu, Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Luke Shaw are still out.
Carrick is ready for the match “Manchester United” – “Roma”.
“It’s a big game and that’s what you expect in this competition. [Roma] we started the season really well and I owe them credit for that, they are a really good team. That’s why we want to be in this competition, challenge ourselves against good teams and try to excel. It’s a big night for us,” Carrick told Amazon Prime UK via BBC Sport.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off in the weekend defeat to Chelsea and was dropped to the bench today.
“We have to pick a team. We have a good squad, we have decisions to make. We’ve made one or two changes in recent weeks, so we decided to go with this team tonight.”
Kobbie Mainoo returned from injury as a substitute at the weekend and starts today with Carlos Baleba in a new partnership.
“We have really good midfielders and different combinations provide different strengths. Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba have played together recently. Kobe is fit again and we felt it was a good stage to bring him back.
“You’d like to think they complement each other with the attributes they both have and I’m looking forward to seeing them tonight,” Carrick said.
Manchester United have been in a disastrous run of form since their 4-0 Champions League defeat by Sabah on September 10.
This was followed by three draws and six defeats in all competitions, including a 4-1 loss on Italian soil against Como.
On the other hand, Roma have lost just one game all season, losing 4-3 to Real Madrid when they were leading 3-1 in the 82nd.n.d minute.
“They play man-to-man and press all over the pitch, you never get time on the ball. Their game never settles. Roma are really good at what they do.”
In 2007, Carrick scored two goals not only in Manchester United’s 7-1 victory over Roma, but also with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It’s been a long time coming. I think tonight will be a completely new Manchester United. It’s another opportunity for us to win a football match, we’re trying to do it, we have to do it and it would be good to win it tonight,” he said.