Manchester United are preparing to face AS Roma at Old Trafford tonight in a crucial Champions League encounter, with Michael Carrick desperate to end his side’s disastrous run of form.

The Red Devils have won just two of their opening 13 competitive matches this season, going nine consecutive games without victory.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Chelsea intensified scrutiny of Carrick, whose position remains under threat ahead of November’s international break.

United have also struggled in Europe, suffering defeats against Atletico Madrid and Como, the latter producing a humiliating 4-1 scoreline.

However, their Italian opponents arrive in considerably better form.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma currently sit third in Serie A, having collected 24 points from their opening ten league matches.

The Giallorossi have scored a club-record 28 goals during that period, including five in Saturday’s impressive victory over Udinese.

United have already been warned about Roma’s attacking strength, with the visitors setting an extraordinary scoring record ahead of tonight’s encounter.

Nevertheless, Gasperini faces significant selection problems.

Roma are already without several important players, while United’s own injury concerns have complicated Carrick’s preparations.

Now, another setback has emerged following Roma’s final training session, involving a former Manchester United goalkeeper.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper suffers injury ahead of Old Trafford return

According to Corriere dello Sport, Pierluigi Gollini suffered a back injury during Roma’s final training session in Manchester on Tuesday morning.

The 31-year-old immediately alerted medical staff to prevent the problem worsening and is now doubtful for tonight’s match.

Gollini previously spent two years in Manchester United’s academy after joining from Fiorentina in 2012.

He departed for Hellas Verona in 2014 without making a senior appearance, subsequently representing Aston Villa, Atalanta, Tottenham, Napoli and Genoa.

The Italian international joined Roma in 2025 and has been deputising for Mile Svilar since the Belgian suffered an injury in October.

With Svilar unavailable until after the international break, Gasperini could face an extraordinary goalkeeping crisis.

Third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez and youngster Giorgio De Marzi have both been placed on standby.

Roma are also missing Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Manu Kone, further complicating their preparations.

Gollini reportedly wants to play through the pain, particularly given the opportunity to return to Old Trafford.

However, a final decision on his involvement will be made closer to kick-off.