Manchester United and Roma named their starting lineups before the Champions League league phase match kicked off at 8pm GMT, with Roma making a notable call by giving third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vásquez a debut.
Manchester United went with Lammens in goal, with Dalot, Yoro, Maguire and Heaven across the back line. Baleba and Mainoo started in midfield, while Diallo, Cunha, Fernandes and Mbeumo formed the attacking group.
Roma’s XI featured Vazquez in goal, followed by Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso and Rensch. Cristante and De Roon started in midfield, with Wesley, Soule, Rodrigo Mora and Malen selected further forward.
Roma’s unusual goalkeeper call
The selection of Devis Vásquez stood out most from the pre-match team news. The 28-year-old was handed a debut in a Champions League match despite being Roma’s third-choice goalkeeper, a reminder that squad rotation and availability can quickly shape major European nights.
The match also came with Roma sitting one place above Como in Serie A, which adds a little more context to their domestic form going into the fixture. For Manchester United, the choice of lineup reflected another big test in the competition, with Michael Carrick describing the night as a chance to challenge the team against strong opposition.
Ayden Heaven was also interviewed before kickoff, adding to the pre-match focus around United’s setup. But the headline from the team sheets was clear: both clubs were locked in, and Roma’s decision in goal gave this Man United Vs Roma meeting an unexpected wrinkle before the first whistle.
