Manchester United hosts Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with significant team news emerging for both clubs. Lisandro Martinez has been dropped by manager Michael Carrick following a red card in the recent match against Chelsea. Ayden Heaven is set to start in Martinez's place.
Manchester United's starting lineup sees the return of Kobbie Mainoo to midfield. Roma, meanwhile, faces injury concerns, with third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez expected to start. Former Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen is listed in Roma's starting XI.
In another high-profile Champions League fixture, Aston Villa travels to face Spanish giants Barcelona. Anthony Gordon is set to start for Barcelona, forming a front three alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. For Aston Villa, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line, supported by a midfield including McGinn, who captains the side. Lindelof and Torres are the chosen center-backs.
The encounter between Manchester United and Roma carries historical weight, with their rivalry dating back to a chaotic Champions League quarter-final in April 2007. That fixture was marred by violence, including clashes between fans and criticism of police actions. The following season, the teams met again in the quarter-finals, with group stage encounters also marked by incidents.
Reports from Old Trafford suggest a potential protest from Manchester United supporters, with around 2,000 green and gold balloons reportedly planned to be displayed from the Stretford End. This comes amid fan dissatisfaction with the club's recent performances.
Roma's away record in England has been poor, failing to secure a win in their last 16 trips. They have also conceded in their last 32 Champions League away matches, the longest such streak in the competition. Donyell Malen has been a standout performer for Roma this season, leading goalscorcorers across Europe's top five leagues in 2026. He has scored 22 goals in Serie A since joining from Aston Villa.
For Aston Villa, Nicolas Jackson has been in strong form, scoring three goals in three Champions League appearances and five in eight Premier League games. Gordon, who joined Barcelona in the summer for a reported £70 million, has contributed three goals and five assists in 13 appearances for the Catalan club and is expected to feature prominently.
The matches are part of a packed evening of Champions League fixtures, with other notable games including Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sporting CP, Galatasaray vs. Stuttgart, Atletico Madrid vs. Bayern Munich, and Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan.