‘Very few cheers for Man Utd players’ names – bar one’
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford
Alan Keegan, the PA announcer, is reading out the Manchester United team right now. There are very few cheers for the players’ names, with the notable exception of Kobbie Mainoo.
Will Castle3 November 2026 19:54
Dangerman Donyell
Donyell Malen managed just 10 goals in a year at Aston Villa before he was shipped off to Roma, seemingly surplus to requirements.
He’s since become one of Europe’s most in-form sharpshooters, turning into a scoring machine. He’s bagged 11 goals in 12 games this term, including three in three Champions League outings.
Could he hammer the final nail in the coffin for Michael Carrick?
Will Castle3 November 2026 19:50
Elsewhere in the Champions League
We’ve got a fair few tasty fixtures lined up in Europe’s premier competition tonight, including a trip to the Camp Nou for Aston Villa. Here are all the 8pm kick-offs:
- Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich
- Barcelona vs Aston Villa
- Bodo/Glimt vs Lille
- Feyenoord vs Inter Milan
- LASK vs Slovan Bratislava
- Villarreal vs Paris Saint-Germain
We’ve already seen Shakhtar lose 1-0 to Sporting CP at Stamford Bridge in one of the early kick-offs, while Galatasaray lead Stuttgart 2-0 heading deep into stoppage time.
Will Castle3 November 2026 19:40
Man United sleepwalking towards relegation asks one question: Where is the rage?
Miguel Delaney was at Stamford Bridge as Michael Carrick slumped to yet another defeat – leaving Manchester United teetering above the relegation zone. Here’s his report:
As Michael Carrick walked into the press room at Stamford Bridge, with many waiting to hear whether he might actually muster some fire, there was also an eye on results elsewhere: a few permutations could have meant England’s most successful club dropped into the relegation zone at this stage of the season – now a quarter in – for the first time since 1986.
That alone is a stark reality, which would be a line in the sand in any other setting.
It barely needs to be said that moment in 1986 was of course when United appointed Sir Alex Ferguson. The rest is history, but this is the present and there is no sign of any salvation – from anywhere.
Miguel Delaney3 November 2026 19:23
Why are Roma playing their third-choice keeper?
Devis Vasquez starts in between the sticks for Roma tonight. He is Roma’s third-choice keeper.
Roma have endured bad luck with goalkeepers this season, with number one Mile Svilar currently ruled out with a broken finger.
Pierluigi Gollini had so far deputised in the Belgian’s place, but he failed a late fitness test following a back injury ahead of tonight’s match, meaning Vasquez will play at Old Trafford.
Will Castle3 November 2026 19:15
Carrick drops Martinez
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Old Trafford:
Michael Carrick has fond memories of Roma, who were beaten 7-1 here in his playing days and 6-2 when he was on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff. Now Carrick could do with a win of any kind after Manchester United have gone nine without victory.
Even the mild-mannered Carrick may have had enough of Lisandro Martinez, dropped after his worst performance of a terrible season at Chelsea. Ayden Heaven comes in for Martinez, which may not be reassuring, given his own form. It may be better news for United that Kobbie Mainoo starts: United have only lost one game he has begun this season.
Will Castle3 November 2026 19:00
Roma line-up
A few changes from Gian Piero Gasperini following Roma’s thrashing of Udinese on the weekend as his side heads to Old Trafford.
At the back, Leonardo Balerdi and Gianluca Mancini are restored to the back three, while third-choice keeper Devis Vazquez starts in between the sticks due to injuries.
The only other change sees Nahuel Molina dropped for Devyne Rensch.
Roma XI: Vazquez; Balerdi, Mancini, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Mora; Malen.
Will Castle3 November 2026 18:56
Man Utd line-up
The big news from United’s team sheet… Michael Carrick has dropped Lisandro Martinez.
He defended the Argentinian in his press conference yesterday but after his red card against Chelsea (the latest of a series of errors), the under-fire manager has taken the decision to move Martinez to the bench. Ayden Heaven comes into the side in his place.
Elsewhere, Kobbie Mainoo starts ahead of Andrey Santos in the only other United change.
Man Utd XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot; Baleba, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Will Castle3 November 2026 18:46
