Winless United Face Defining Night as In-Form Roma Visit Old Trafford

Manchester United's Champions League clash with Roma on Tuesday night has become a defining occasion for Michael Carrick and his players. United have gone nine games without a win in all competitions, a run that has left them 17th in the Premier League with seven points from nine matches and 21st in the 36-team Champions League table. Their latest setback came at Chelsea on Saturday, where a promising first half unravelled into a 2-0 defeat after Lisandro Martinez was sent off for two yellow cards in 82 seconds. Martinez is banned domestically but remains available in Europe, and he is expected to partner Harry Maguire at Old Trafford. Roma arrive in starkly different form. Gian Piero Gasperini's side sit third in Serie A after an unbeaten start featuring seven wins and three draws, and they thrashed Udinese 5-2 on Saturday. In Europe they hold fourth place in the early standings with four points from three games, one point ahead of United, who have beaten Sabah 4-0 and lost to Atletico Madrid and Como. Former Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen leads Roma's attack with 11 goals this season, three of them in the Champions League. United's injury list remains long: Luke Shaw is out, Patrick Dorgu has returned to training but will not be involved, Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte are long-term absentees, and Marcus Rashford's hip problem keeps him doubtful. Kobbie Mainoo, a substitute at Chelsea, is expected to start in midfield. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT on Tuesday, and Carrick has insisted he does not see the match as his final game in charge, even as speculation about his future intensifies.