Man United Starting XI vs AS Roma: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Man United Starting XI vs AS Roma: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Manchester United vs Roma: Injury Blow Leaves Carrick Short for Old Trafford Test Manchester United go into their Champions League meeting with Roma still patched together, and the key point is simple. Patrick Dorgu is back on the grass, but not back in the team. For a side already short at left-back and light on reliable options in attack, that matters. Dorgu returned to team training on Monday, which briefly raised hopes that Michael Carrick might finally get a natural solution on the left side. That hope lasted all of five minutes. Carrick shut it down quickly, saying: “It was his first day with the group, great to have him back, but he won’t be involved tomorrow. We’ll see how he progresses for the week [ahead].” That is clear enough. He is not ready, and United cannot afford to kid themselves otherwise. Photo IMAGO Patrick Dorgu Absence Exposes Left-Back Issue This has been a recurring problem. Luke Shaw is still out with a muscle injury, so United remain short in a position they have not handled well for weeks. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have both filled in from the opposite flank, while Leny Yoro has also been used as a makeshift full-back. Ayden Heaven is another option, though that tells you plenty about the lack of balance in the squad. None of those solutions is ideal, and Carrick knows it. The issue now is less about creativity and more about basic functionality. Against Roma, United need a back line that can cope first, and look pretty later. Photo IMAGO Manchester United Injury News Hits Attack Further forward, there is no Marcus Rashford again. The hip problem that ruled him out against Como and Bournemouth, and then kept him from facing Chelsea, still has not cleared. He has not returned to training and will play no part here. Benjamin Sesko remains out too, still recovering from the shin issue that disrupted his first season and then carried into this campaign. That leaves Matheus Cunha likely to start from the left, with Bryan Mbeumo expected to lead the line. Bruno Fernandes is set to continue in the No 10 role after returning at Chelsea, while Amad Diallo could start on the right. Kobbie Mainoo Offers Midfield Boost There is at least one useful return. Kobbie Mainoo is available after getting back into training before the trip to Chelsea, where he came off the bench. He could now start, and United need the control. Carrick has rotated Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba in recent weeks, still looking for a midfield pairing that offers both discipline and progression. The probable shape is a 4-2-3-1, with Mainoo pushing for inclusion alongside Tielemans. If that is the plan, it is sensible. United do not need reinvention here, they need coherence. Roma Clash Comes at Bad Time for Michael Carrick This is the wider issue. Carrick is under pressure, the squad is stretched, and Roma are arriving at a moment when United still look unfinished. Dorgu’s return to training is welcome, but it changes nothing for this match. United are still improvising in defence, still missing key attackers, and still searching for a settled team. Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Mainoo, Tielemans, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo. Unavailable: Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton.