United had already found themselves 2-0 down as their woeful run threatened to continue and the atmosphere turned hostile inside Old Trafford.

Towards the corner flag, balls were thrown onto the pitch before a goal kick, and Matheus Cunha was near where supporters aimed the objects, though the Brazilian was not hit, nor did fans appear to be aiming at any player.

Several protests took place before kick-off, as green and yellow balloons were let off when the Champions League anthem rang out around the stadium, and players lined up.

Several anti-Glazer chants, and more aimed at CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, took place.

Play was only paused for a few moments, and players were not taken off the pitch, as the tennis balls were removed from the field and the first half resumed shortly as third-choice Roma goalkeeper Devis Vasquez got play underway again.

That involved plans to release thousands of green and yellow balloons, the club's original colours, from the Stretford End as the Champions League music played when players walked onto the pitch.

The unnamed group kept plans off social media and wanted to bring a banner into the stadium, which read 'No new stadium, we want new owners', but the banner was not allowed in time by UEFA.

However, another banner with 'For love, not likes' was unfurled just before the match got underway.

Supporters were also said to have unfollowed official club social media accounts.

Previous protests have taken place in the streets outside of Old Trafford before matches, but those leading the unrest claim that because TV cameras do not display them, the message is going unheard.

Roma winger Matias Soule found himself in acres of space inside the opening exchanges, with Diogo Dalot nowhere to be seen, as he slid the ball past Senne Lammens.

And moments later, Dalot lost his man again and Soule won a penalty when his shot hit Ayden Heaven's hand. Former Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen doubled Roma's lead from the spot.