Man United vs AS Roma: Michael Carrick to make two changes for crunch Champions League game

Manchester United face AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, with head coach Michael Carrick facing a potentially decisive fitness call over Amad and with Marcus Rashford unlikely to return.

Amad and Rashford doubts ahead of Roma

Amad was one of United’s best performers against Chelsea on Saturday but limped off toward the end of the game, raising injury concerns.

Rashford resumed gym work toward the end of last week, but it remains unclear whether he will be ready to face Roma.

Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are also expected to remain unavailable, limiting Carrick’s options at full-back. Manuel Ugarte and Ben Sesko are long-term absentees.

There is better news regarding Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate recently returned from a four-match injury absence and was given minutes from the bench at Stamford Bridge.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Senne Lammens should continue in goal.

Lisandro Martinez is eligible to play in the Champions League despite his dismissal against Chelsea on Saturday, but his performance could cost him his place. Matthijs de Ligt is predicted to start on the right of the central pairing, with Harry Maguire moving across to the left.

Leny Yoro is likely to remain at right-back. Diogo Dalot should continue on the opposite side in the absence of Shaw and Dorgu.

Noussair Mazraoui provides another option but does not seem to be a player at the forefront of Carrick’s mind.

Midfield

Having completed those valuable minutes at the weekend, we expect Mainoo to start tomorrow’s game. Andrey Santos played well at the Bridge, but is the natural candidate to make way. Carlos Baleba is expected to retain his position as the more defensive number six, with Mainoo operating alongside him.

Attack

Bruno Fernandes should continue as the number 10 after returning to the starting XI against the Blues.

If fit, Amad is expected to retain his position on the right, with Matheus Cunha starting from the left and Bryan Mbeumo leading the line.

Should Amad fail to recover, Carrick has two possible routes. Mbeumo could move to the right with Joshua Zirkzee introduced as the centre-forward, or Shea Lacey could be selected directly on the right.

We’ll know more about Amad and Rashford’s condition following Carrick’s pre-match press conference this evening (Monday) at 6pm. Join us for every word of the press conference, live, here at The Peoples Person.

Final Thoughts

• Amad’s fitness may dictate the attacking line-up.
• Rashford is unlikely to return against Roma.
• Mainoo is backed to start after making his comeback against Chelsea on Saturday.
• De Ligt could replace Martinez in central defence.

Featured image by Molly Darlington via Getty Images