So maybe there is some fight left in the old dog yet?
At half-time, Manchester United looked down and out and Michael Carrick's reign as manager as good as finished.
Roma were 2-0 in front and coasting, gorging on a desperate United's litany of errors, and there was full-scale mutiny in the stands at Old Trafford. A fifth defeat in six matches and the club's longest winless run for 48 years beckoned. It was toxic on and off the pitch.
And then something changed. United, from being a dishevelled, disorganised mess, suddenly seemed to remember who they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to represent. Surrender gave way to fight. A team that had been feeling sorry for themselves discovered some pride. A crowd that had been baying for blood turned Old Trafford into a bear pit of a very different kind, and Roma simply did not know what had hit them.
This club have served up some famous comebacks over the decades, but it was hard to think of too many occasions when the mood and momentum had shifted this violently from one half to the next.
United fans were in open revolt in that first half, releasing green and gold balloons in protests before kick-off and then throwing tennis balls on to the pitch amid furious chanting against the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The players looked like they would rather have been anywhere else.
Bryan Mbeumo helps to clear the pitch of tennis balls thrown on by protesting fans - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
And yet by the 86th minute Matheus Cunha's wild celebrations were encapsulating a wild night, the Brazilian ripping off his shirt after his dramatic winner before launching himself into a delirious crowd drunk on the euphoria of a victory that had seemed improbable in the extreme at the interval, when boos cascaded from the stands.
Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring United's winning goal - Getty Images/Molly Darlington
Whether this proves little more than a thrilling, heroic interlude in the endgame for Carrick , or the start of a genuine turnaround, is hard to know. And, let's be clear, there was so much about the first-half performance to concern the hierarchy, who came under persistent, furious attack from fans at war with an ownership it reviles and wants gone.
But the second half stood firmly at odds with the shambolic display that had preceded it and suggested all may not be quite lost just yet.
Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday in the final game before the international break and, if Carrick can follow this with another win, then it will be intriguing to see where the Old Trafford board goes from there.
Carrick may at least have been encouraged by some of the things Bruno Fernandes said after the game, not least that he warranted being dropped against Bournemouth. And it was the captain who kick-started the fightback against Roma, albeit at the second attempt.
He had won the penalty after being fouled by Gianluca Mancini only to then contrive to miss it. But a retake was ordered for encroachment and, given a second bite at the cherry, Fernandes made no mistake.
When Carlos Baleba pulled up with a hamstring injury within seconds of the restart as he burst into the penalty area, Carrick must have wondered what else could go wrong.
But as United went hell for leather, the home supporters who had spent much of the first half attacking the owners and staging a number of colourful protest acts, suddenly found their voice in a very different way.
From being an atmosphere in which the players clearly felt cowed, Old Trafford was now rallying behind its men in red – and it helped to shake Roma in the process. They had been such good value for their lead, but now they were rocking, and United smelled blood.
There was wave after wave of attack as Roma desperately and often frantically tried to defend their goal, and it took a bad mistake from Leonardo Balerdi, who swung at thin air from Fernandes's cross and missed the ball, to hand Cunha the chance to equalise.
At that point, the momentum was firmly in United's favour and three minutes later they were in front. It is a source of bemusement among fans that Shea Lacey has not had more game-time considering how poor some senior players have been. And his arrival as a substitute made a big difference.
It was Lacey who speared an inch-perfect pass into Cunha, who turned sharply before drilling a stunning finish in off the near post. Cue bedlam.
Cunha was booked for taking off his shirt as he crowd-surfed bear-chested among the fans and was then sent off minutes later after a poor challenge. A fittingly chaotic end to a crazy night for the match-winner.
The difference to those opening 45 minutes was as stark as it gets. Indeed, the first half felt like a continuation from the fans of their blood-letting against Bournemouth.
When the clock hit 20.05 – a nod to the year 2005 when the Glazers bought the club – a pile of tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch from the Stretford End amid chants of "We Want Glazers Out". They were quickly followed by cries of "Just like the Glazers, Jim Ratcliffe's a c---" and "sell the club and f--- off home".
Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football, again copped for it. A banner read: "For the love, not the 'likes'". When the Champions League music played, hundreds of green and gold balloons – a reference to the club's original colours and the 2010 protest movement – were released.
On the pitch, United were all over the place. Carrick had dropped Lisandro Martínez after his red card against Chelsea but his replacement Ayden Heaven was at fault for the first goal after getting sucked in and failing to check his shoulder. Had he done, he would have seen Matías Soulé unmarked and in acres of space with Diogo Dalot, United's left-back, caught high up the pitch. Soulé made no mistake with his finish.
Heaven almost did the same again soon after before more blunders handed Roma a second. Soulé tried to find Donyell Malen with a pass but miscued to Harry Maguire. Yet the England defender then proceeded to give the ball straight back to Soulé, who turned Dalot and shot with Heaven blocking the ball with his right arm as he lunged to stop the effort. Malen continued his rich scoring vein from the penalty spot.
At that point, no one could have reckoned on the comeback that followed. Where it leads, who knows.
10:49pm
Speaking after the match, Michael Carrick was very positive about his side's performance.
"It was a good night. I have to a lot of credit to the players for starters, showing that character and that quality when we needed it and to the supporters. This place does incredible, magical things," said Carrick.
"I thought we grew into it the first half after giving the goals too easily. We spoke at half time about how this place can change, it only takes one moment and it certainly did that and the boys made the most of every opportunity and were fantastic in the end."
Asked about how he inspired the team at half-time he kept it simple: "Just not to get too disappointed about things. I thought we were coming into the game, getting around their box and it didn't feel that way to the players because they were carrying too much frustration and disappointment and I knew we were doing some good things in the game against a really good team.
"Playing against man-to-man as much as they are, you probably get more failure than success and it's still being positive and the boys responded so well to that."
As for whether this will change United's momentum now, he was cautious not to get carried away.
"Listen it's one game. It depends on what happens next and we've got to capitalise on that but tonight the boys showed an awful lot," he said.
"And I thought we came out the second half, unfortunately with Carlos having to go off and Youri coming on the pitch and I thought he was fantastic, he showed everything that he is as a personality, as a character and with his experience to step in the game like that, and the boys just went with the flow and you could feel how positive it was and it was nice to see this place like that again."
10:37pm
Captain Bruno Fernandes also spoke after the match, acknowledging the difficulties the team has faced.
"It's tough to say something at the moment to be honest. It's been a tough period for us, we have not been able to play in the way we want, get the results we want. We've done some good bits, but not had the consistency to do it through a whole game to get results and it's been tough.
"But today was important to get a win. We knew after that we still had the fans with us, we felt we could change it with a goal and something and fortunately we did it today."
As for his penalty miss and re-take: "First one didn't go the way I wanted, I did something wrong but I got a second chance and I cleared my head and my mind was only on to get the ball in back of the net.
"It's been tough for the fans, we understand that. Having that belief from their side helps the team a lot and today was one of those days that Old Trafford came alive."
Emotions ran high as United broke their losing streak in Manchester - Getty Images/Richard Sellers
10:33pm
After his first start as he returns from injury, Kobbie Mainoo was full of praise for the fans, saying he cherished the relationship the team had with them.
"It's unlike anything else. We'd do anything for these fans on the pitch, all the love they give us throughout the season it's only right we repay them and it's a bit of fun just jumping into the stands with them."
Kobbie Mainoo played all 90 minutes against Roma - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
10:22pm
Sun Nov 8th: Aston Villa (h)
Sun Nov 22nd: Liverpool (a)
Wed Nov 25th: Sporting (a)
Sat Nov 28th: Brentford (h)
Wed Dec 2nd: Newcastle (a)
10:21pm
Speaking to Amazon after the match, Youri Tielemans said: "There has been a lot of pressure on him [Carrick] and that's how we repay him, with a comeback like this, big character, big fight."
"We just kept working, we kept believing. We were on the front foot in the second half, we tried to push them into their goal and we succeeded."
As for whether or not the performance would be enough to keep Carrick in his role at United: "That's a different question. The only thing we can do is stick behind him, fight for him and fight for the club.
"At the end of the day we are on the pitch and we need to show what we are capable of and tonight, especially in the second half, we showed what we can do and we turned up the gears.
"Let's hope this is a good turnaround for us and let's hope we can build on this."
Youri Tielemans has praised United's effort to turnaround the second half - Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
10:15pm
United fans were in raptures after Cunha scored his winner - Getty Images/Molly Darlington
10:14pm
"Great credit to Michael Carrick because they were down and out at half-time. They were everywhere in that first-half, and he had to change and tweak things," Alan Shearer said after the final whistle.
"I said what can he do, I didn't know where he would start, and he must have started in the dressing room, and pointing at a few people telling them to be brave and courageous and move the ball quicker, and run in behind and they did all those things in the second half and got their reward by getting their win."
Michael Carrick was able to celebrate with his players at full time - Reuters/Scott Heppell
Carrick appears to have buried the hatchet with Lisandro Martinez, who started on the bench tonight - Getty Images/Carl Recine
10:08pm
Possession: United 52% vs 48% Roma
Shots: 15 vs 7
Shots on target: 6 vs 3
Touches in opposition box: 30 vs 8
Corners: 3 vs 1
10:06pm
The United head coach kept his cool at full-time despite the positive result - PA/Martin Rickett
10:05pm
For the first time in months, United fans have witnessed a performance worth cheering (at least in the second half).
As Michael Carrick led his players around the pitch – with the occasional smile and fist pump – they were all greeted by cheers and applause in the stands. Some of them might have forgotten what that was like.
Many fans remained in the stands to cheer their players after the final whistle - Getty Images/Carl Recine
10:00pm
09:59pm
There is no guarantee that this is enough to keep Michael Carrick in a job beyond the November international break, but if he keeps his role, this will certainly be a turning point.
We will have to wait until Amazon release their All or Nothing documentary to find out what he said to them in the dressing room at half time but whatever it was, it worked.
09:55pm
And it's all over!
Manchester United finally have their win!
Mateus Cunha's double was the difference at Old Trafford - Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
09:54pm
Final seconds and Roma are pushing for an equaliser. Pisilli sends a cross in but Yoro heads it away.
Roma come again, but Mount wellies it half the length of the pitch to huge cheers.
09:54pm
The United team that went into the dressing room at half time did not look like they had a second half like this in them.
They almost throw it away as Cristante loops a ball into the box for Castro to head, but the striker connects poorly and sends it wide. He was also offside anyway.
09:51pm
Well Cunha has absolutely lost his head there. Booked for taking his shirt off just minutes ago, he goes in for a ridiculous late challenge and wipes out Balerdi. The ref quickly produces a yellow and Cunha is off!
United will have to see out the final minutes with 10 men.
09:50pm
This is the energy that United have been looking for over the last few months, and wouldn't you know that they're about to reap the rewards.
Five minutes added
09:48pm
09:48pm
Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire come off, replaced by Mason Mount and Matthias de Ligt.
Probbably around six minutes to go here with the added time.
09:45pm
What a turnaround!!!
Incredible strike from Mateus Cunha to complete an astonishing second-half performance!
He picks up the ball from Lacey as he dashes into the box and looks up to see just a whisker of space at the near post and puts his foot through the ball!
He then takes of his shirt and launches himself into the crowd...
09:44pm
United have easily had the better of the second half and could take something from this.
Maguire goes down under pressure by Castro and tries to shield the ball and ends up in a tussle with the Roma striker. No cards given luckily for Maguire.
09:43pm
And a bit of luck finally goes United's way! A defensive blunder from Roma as Bruno Fernandes curls a ball into the box and Balerdi completely misses the ball as he tries to clear it from the box. Cunha is lurking behind him and turns the ball into the next low from close range.
Old Trafford erupts.
09:41pm
Yoro passes the ball in to Mainoo on the edge of the area and he tries a back-heel, but there is no team-mate there to meet it and Roma bring the ball out again.
United intercept in midfield again, which is where the game has turned in the second half and they come again.
09:40pm
10 minutes plus added time left. United are still fighting for an equaliser here to their credit, but waiting until they were two goals down to start battling made it very hard for them.
09:38pm
Another Roma change, and it's Donyell Malen making way for Santiago Castro. He will end tonight with just the one goal.
Seconds after stepping on the pitch, he gets in a tangle with Maguire and the England defender gets booked for bringing him dowm.
09:36pm
Cunha has a powerful attempt that's parried away by Vásquez and collected by Lacey.
Plenty of shouts for a foul as he tries to cross the ball in, but the referee is unmoved to give a penalty.
09:35pm
It's Ayden Heaven that makes way for Lisandro Martínez, while Amad Diallo comes off for Shea Lacey.
Roma making changes of their own. Mancini and Hermoso are replaced by Daniele Ghilardi and Evan Ndicka – two straight defensive swaps.
09:34pm
Yoro intercepts a ball in midfield and finds Bruno Fernandes. He tries to tee up Diallo but the winger loses the ball from another well-timed Roma challenge.
United look like they're getting ready to make some changes... and it looks like Martínez is one of them.
09:32pm
Tielemans tries to set Diallo free with a long ball but there's too much on it and Vásquez comes to collect.
09:31pm
09:31pm
Roma trying again down but Cunha dispossesses Lulli, trying to release Bruno Fernandes. Lulli gets back to make the challenge and stop the run.
09:30pm
Heaven is booked for a challenge, going in high. These kinds of tackles were utterly missing from United in the first half, even if the young defender will have to be careful now.
09:28pm
Maguire and Balerdi wrestling at the back post, and the defender isn't even watching the ball as Maguire tries to get his head on it. He gets away from the defender but is falling as he connects with the ball and it goes over the bar.
09:27pm
It causes chaos as Maguire heads the ball back into the box from the near post and as Vásquez tries to fall on it, Cristante tries to kick it away, meaning it bounces around the box.
Another corner for United from the throw-in.
09:26pm
Huge shouts for a penalty as Bruno Fernandes whips it in from the left to the near post where Mbeumo can't connect but it goes out for a corner.
Maguire muscles away his defender at the back post and gets a clean header which is just blocked by Wesley for another corner.
09:23pm
United have kept themselves in this game just about and for the first time all night the Roma fans are drowned out. The stands are willing their team on again as they try and pull the ball forward.
Dalot picks up the ball on the left midfield and he makes the run into the box and has a shot that just edges wide of the near post.
There is so much more life now in United.
09:21pm
Eight games for Bruno Fernandes without a goal or assist but he has finally broken that drought.
It took a bit of luck, as one of the Roma defenders encroached on the area before the penalty was taken, which was deemed to allow him to have reached the ball to clear it after the save.
The first penalty was saved low by the keeper - Reuters/Scott Heppell
But Fernandes made no mistake the second time around - Getty Images/Michael Regan
09:19pm
And now the floodgates have opened!
Mbeumo chases onto a ball from Cunha and the keeper comes out to meet him but he slots it past him...only to be denied by both the posts!
He can't believe it and neither can Carrick.
But Old Trafford has woken up now!
09:18pm
And he makes it second time of asking!!
What a relief that will be for the captain. No mistake this time he puts his head down and wraps the inside of his foot around it!
09:17pm
Now there's a check for encroachment and it's confirmed! Another lifeline!
09:16pm
It's given and Bruno Fernandes steps up to take it. A long wait for the whistle and a deep breath and he tries to go low to Vásquez's right but the keeper guesses right. The rebound is cleared away before he can try again.
09:15pm
Cunha goes over in the box and the ref points to the spot.
He exchanges a give-and-go with Bruno Fernandes but goes down supposedly under pressure by Mancini. In the replay it looks like he trips over his own feet though..
VAR check ongoing.
09:14pm
Diallo picks up the ball on the right and tries to get it in to Yoro who makes the run into the box. It's not quite right though and Roma clear.
Some small signs of life here from United!
09:12pm
Roma try a long ball to Malen but Maguire and Heaven are equal to it and Maguire comes away with it.
He tries a long ball of his own towards Cunha making the run on the left but Lulli sticks close to him and gives him no space to pull the ball back form the touchline.
09:10pm
That is so disappointing for Baleba as Tielemens does take is place.
He goes straight down the tunnel, handing his jersey to a young fan on the way.
Carlos Baleba goes off injured - Getty Images/Richard Sellers
09:09pm
Yoro and Bruno Fernandes try to create some space with a give-and-go but Yoro is blocked and Roma pick up the ball again.
09:07pm
That was the first moment a United player showed some initiative in 47 minutes of football. He is limping around the field and it looks like Youri Tielemens will replace him, but for now United are down to 10 men.
09:06pm
From bad to worse for United.
Baleba makes a lovely run in behind, driving into the six-yard box and reaching the byline looking like he will cross but then suddenly pulls up and goes down clutching his hamstring.
09:05pm
And we are off again!
Rodrigo Mora is off and Niccolo Pisilli comes on in his place.
09:02pm
United fans were unhappy at half-time - Getty Images/Oli Scarff
08:59pm
The latest scores from around the Champions League:
Atlético Madrid 0 - 0 Bayern
Barcelona 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Bodo/Glimt 0 - 0 Lille
Feyenoord 0 - 2 Inter Milan
LASK 3 - 0 Slovan Bratislava
Villarreal 0 - 4 PSG
08:56pm
Possession: United 54% vs 46% Roma
Shots: 5 vs 7
Shots on target: 1 vs 3
Touches in opposition box: 11 vs 8
Corners: 0 vs 1
08:52pm
Alan Shearer does not have kind words at half-time for the United squad, labelling the performance "embarrassing":
"There's not been anything in this performance. I haven't seen a tackle, a cross, an effort at goal. There is nothing in this performance to be positive about.
"I don't know where [Carrick] starts because they have been that poor in every department.
"Defensively all over the place, midfield no creativity, and up front no running in behind, no efforts at goal, no holding the ball up. It's really been embarrassing for them."
Michael Carrick had to suffer through another first half to forget at Old Trafford - Reuters/Scott Heppell
08:49pm
The last action of the half is another Roma chance, which goes just wide of the top corner.
Boos ring out around Old Trafford as the whistle goes and the players trudge off.
What on earth can Carrick say to his squad to get them to turn this around?
08:48pm
Two minutes of added time begin with Cunha winning a free-kick. Bruno Fernandes passes a short ball forward to Mainoo just outside the area and he has a shot on goal with a neat ball which just dips. Vásquez gets across to collect.
08:47pm
Malen gets another go on goal, finding space down the centre to take a low shot at Lammens, but the keeper is equal to it and gets low to make the save.
08:46pm
Almost something, perhaps a hint of life from United.
Baleba tees up Diallo neatly to make a run into the box but he runs out of room and has to turn the ball back out to Baleba, who first time passes it along the edge of the area. Bruno Fernandes tries to get onto it but it's an awkward first-time ball and it goes over the bar.
08:43pm
The Roma fans are in loud voice as United again try to progress in the final third.
Malen is booked as Baleba knocks it past him and is hauled down. It's a decent position to have an attempt on goal, about 35 yards out against a relatively untested keeper.
Bruno Fernandes sends it straight into the wall though. A thoroughly underwhelming attempt.
United look out of ideas after two early Roma goals - Reuters/Scott Heppell
08:41pm
Roma are going forward again, finding space everywhere they look. They pass the ball from left to midfield and out to the right before it comes back to the left, and Mora finds himself on the edge of the area unmarked. A last-ditch challenge from Yoro is the only thing that denies him a shot and United concede a corner.
08:39pm
Mbeumo passes in to Mainoo from the right wing and he makes a run towards the edge of the box but is met by a tight defense. United are not having any luck down the middle and do not look particularly comfortable on the wings.
08:37pm
Baleba wins a free-kick as he is brought down by Cristante. Bruno Fernandes loops a cute ball into the box for Cunha to run onto but Cristante makes another good challenge to get him off the ball.
Roma have hardly put a foot wrong so far.
08:36pm
Balerdi does well to recover the ball as Mbeumo beats him to a header and takes the ball towards the box. The Roma defender makes another very well-timed challenge in the box to deny the striker a chance.
08:35pm
United just aren't getting forward, they look out of ideas already.
Roma are pressing high on the ball, giving themselves a lot of options to get the ball forward.
Bruno Fernandes is trying to get his team-mates to make runs forward whne they have the ball but Diallo and Mbeumo aren't quite firing.
08:33pm
Lulli and Soulé by contrast are finding a lot of joy down the right wing. Lulli sends a ball over the box but with too much on it, no one can connect at the back post.
08:32pm
Kobbie Mainoo dances away from two Roma players very tidily, protecting the ball in his own half.
United are trying to get the ball forward but just aren't finding any space.
08:31pm
Chants of "Jason Wilcox is a w-----" and "Just like the Glazers, Jim Ratcliffe's a c---" also reverberating. United ownership and executives under constant bombardment.
08:30pm
Cristante tries to send a cross into the box but it takes a looping deflection and is hauled away.
Maguire tries to set Diallo free in the next passage of play but he can't bring down the long ball sent his way in midfield.
08:28pm
A very good challenge from Wesley to take the ball off Diallo cleanly in the box as the winger made a run in the box.
United showing a bit more fight and trying to put pressure on the third-choice keeper as he plays the ball out.
08:27pm
Baleba has a shot from the edge of the box after a decent passage of play from United around the Roma box. It sails over the bar as he's just off balance.
08:25pm
Cunha wins the ball and makes a run towards the box. He takes a shot but it is blocked on the edge of the area.
Mbeumo goes down off the ball, claiming a foul before Dalot also goes down in the box, looking for a penalty. The official is unmoved.
08:23pm
Fans are throwing objects onto the pitch from the Stretford End.
In the meantime, Rensch has been taken off, replaced by Emanuele Lulli.
United fans are throwing tennis balls on the pitch and chanting "We want Glazers" out – the 20.05 minute protest in a nod to 2005, the year the Americans bought the club. "Sell United and f--- off home," the Stretford End sings. Mayhem on and off the pitch.
Bryan Mbeumo clears tennis balls thrown on to the pitch by fans - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
08:22pm
Yellow cards for Bruno Fernandes and Matías Soulé as the two players exchange strong words and a shove.
Rensch went down and Roma players were screaming for the United players to put the ball out of play but they don't.
08:20pm
Silence in Old Trafford.
Dalot caught in possession and the ball is picked off again. Roma make another run at goal and it's blocked in the box but United are looking very shaky at the back.
08:19pm
And Donyell Malen makes it two!
He steps up to the spot and cool as you like send Lammens the wrong way to find the back of the net on the keeper's right.
08:18pm
United are in real trouble when they lose the ball. Again they are carved open and Mora takes the ball down the left, sending another looping ball across the field. Soulé tries to find Malen making the run in the box but he can't quite reach it.
It rebounds at the feet of Soulé and Heaven concedes a penalty for a handball
08:17pm
No shots or shots on target for United. One shot on target for Roma and one goal.
08:16pm
But Bruno Fernandes picks the ball up on the right wing from Diallo and fizzes a low ball across the face of goal. Mbeumo can't quite connect and it is swept away from the feet of Cunha at the far post before he can tap it in.
08:15pm
This is obviously the last thing United would have wanted. The crowd – previously cheering every ball forward and every challenge – have gone quite quiet.
08:14pm
But just like that, Roma get the breakthrough.
United lose the ball and are carved open. Mora sends a long ball across the field and finds Soulé completely unmarked on the edge of the box. He brings it down, makes a short run and slots it past Lammens low at the near post.
08:11pm
Mainoo sends a nice pass out to Diallo on the right who sends a ball to Bruno Fernandes on the overlap. His ball into the box is quickly blocked but Mainoo has started very brightly and draws a foul in the next passage of play.
08:10pm
Bruno Fernandes sends a long ball downfield trying to set Mbeumo free but he can't quite bring it down and control it, and Roma are back on the ball.
Not much in these early exchanges
08:08pm
Cristante tries to slip a ball through to Malen in the centre of the box but it's cleared away quickly.
The Netherlands international picks up the ball again and is quickly swarmed before he can turn in the box. United staying disciplined so far.
08:07pm
Yoro wins the ball in midfield and United get a bit of possession up the field but a sloppy pass from Dalot gifts it back to Roma and now the visitors are probing the United final third.
08:06pm
But in great news for United, they have reached four minutes without conceding, which is a feat they had not achieved in their last two European games.
Lammens is not taking any chances playing out from the back though, opting for the long ball out every time.
08:04pm
Mainoo tries to lift a ball over the top from midfield for Diallo on the right-hand side, but he doesn't quite get it right.
08:03pm
An early goal would definitely boost spirits here. United are enjoying a spell on the ball and that will suffice for now.
08:01pm
And we are underway in Old Trafford!
United need to get off to a steady start here, conceding an early goal could be devastating.
08:00pm
There's a minute of silence before play in memory of Jesus de Miguel who died on Tuesday morning .
07:58pm
As the Champions League anthems plays, fans have released their yellow and green balloons from the stands in protest against the club's owners.
A mix of boos and cheers from around the ground.
Manchester United fans protest against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe with banners and green and gold balloons, which are a nod to the club's original colours - Getty Images/ Carl Recine
07:56pm
We are five minutes out and both teams are lined up in the tunnel.
One banner in the stands reads "We'll support you evermore".
We're about to see what the players can muster to earn that support.
07:52pm
With kick-off fast approaching, here's a reminder of the teams taking to the field tonight:
Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1):Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Heaven; Baleba, Mainoo; Diallo, Cunha, Fernandes; Mbeumo
Subs: Darlow, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui, Santos, Mount, T Fletcher, Tielemans, Lacey, Zirkzee
AS Roma XI (3-4–2-1):Vazquez; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soule, Rodrigo Mora; Malen
Subs: De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Castro, Molina, Pisilli, Di Nunzio, Lulli, Ghilardi
07:48pm
Bad timing with injuries means that tonight is the first time that Kobbie Mainoo and Carlos Baleba feature in midfield together.
Baleba was injured when he completed his £70m move from Brighton and Mainoo picked up his muscle injury as his team-mate returned to the substitutes bench.
It will be down to the two young players to stop Roma lacing balls through midfield to Malen and Carrick will need them to click on first time of trying.
Carlos Baleba was signed from Brighton with the hope that he would be a key part of United's midfield overhaul - Getty Images/Ash Donelon
Kobbie Mainoo has refound his place in the squad under Michael Carrick, having been frozen out by Ruben Amorim - Getty Images/Ash Donelon
07:37pm
Bruno Fernandes leads the Manchester United players in their warm-up - Reuters/Scott Heppell
AS Roma players take to the field in Manchester - Getty Images/Carl Recine
07:35pm
AS Roma fans head towards Old Trafford, with considerable police presence in the area - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
United fans begin to gather around the stadium - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
07:25pm
Wayne Rooney has decided not to pull any punches tonight when it comes to his former club as he debates the possibility of a new manager arriving at Old Trafford.
"I'll tell you Gabby with that group of players, none of the [possible replacement] managers are getting any more out of these players. The biggest job is getting them all out of the football club, that's the biggest job," he said to Gabby Logan.
Wayne Rooney has been very critical of United's squad - Getty Images/Michael Regan
07:17pm
The United manager has had his turn speaking to Amazon Prime with a very relaxed demeanour, despite the huge pressure sitting on his shoulders.
07:11pm
The former Aston Villa striker has hit the ground running in his first full season with Roma, and has already raced to eight goals and an assist in nine Serie A matches. He notched 14 goals in 18 league matches in the second half of last season while on loan, and has picked up where he left off.
He's already scored three in the Champions League, and could be looking eagerly at United's shaky mentality to add to those numbers. He is the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues in this calendar year, beating the likes of Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane.
Gasperini's man-to-man style emphasises his skill in one-on-one situations, where his pace and drive with the ball make him a handful for even the best defenders.
Donyell Malen has already scored eight goals for Roma in their domestic league - Getty Images
07:05pm
Here is the full list of tonight's fixtures:
Galatasaray are already 2-0 up on Stuttgart, while Sporting have found the breakthrough against Shakhtar Donetsk in the early kick-offs.
06:59pm
Manchester United fans are planning a series of in-stadium demonstrations at Old Trafford tonight in protest at the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership.
Thousands of green and gold balloons – a nod to the club's original colours as Newton Heath – are set to be released from the Stretford End when the Champions League music plays out ahead of kick-off.
There had been plans to bring a banner into the stadium bearing the words: "No new stadium, we want new owners" but that was blocked, apparently on the grounds of Uefa's inability to sanction it in time.
The Glazers and Ratcliffe have come under growing attack this season with the club's regular match going supporters at war with the owners.
A separate fans' group has also been encouraging fans to join in anti Glazers and Ratcliffe chants in the 21st minute or, more specifically, after 20 minutes and 5 seconds: 20.05 is a nod to 2005, the year the Glazers completed their hostile takeover at Old Trafford.
06:57pm
The main surprise for Roma is in goal, as with first-choice keeper Svilar out already, it has been confirmed that backup keeper Pierluigi Gollini has injured his back today. He has been replaced by Colombian Devis Vásquez in goal.
Roma:Vásquez; Balerdi, Mancini, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Mora, Wesley; Soulé, Cristante; Malen
06:53pm
We have confirmation, Martínez is on the bench. He is replaced by Ayden Heaven while Bruno Fernandes is still with the captain's armband in midfield. Kobbie Mainoo gets the nod as he returns from injury, along with Mateus Cunha and Mason Mount.
Lisandro Martínez has been dropped by Michael Carrick in the wake of his red card madness against Chelsea.
The United manager has opted to pair Ayden Heaven in central defence with Harry Maguire for the Roma game with Martinez dropping to the bench.
The Argentina defender received a second yellow card for planting an elbow in Wesley Fofana's face in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea when he was also culpable for the first goal.
Martinez has been in dire form this season and was fined and publicly apologised after publicly criticising director of football Jason Wilcox and the Old Trafford board in the wake of the 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid.
Kobbie Mainoo returns to midfield after missing the last four games through injury.
Ayden Heaven will start in United's backline for the tie against Roma - Getty Images/Ash Donelon
06:50pm
Ayden Heaven has just come out to speak with Prime Video, which has led Gabby Logan to assume that means that Lisandro Martínez will not start for Michael Carrick tonight.
Speaking with her, former United legend Wayne Rooney has said the Argentine has "simply not been good enough" and should not necessarily feature again under Carrick.
When Alan Shearer was asked if he would include Martínez on a team sheet tonight, he did not mince his words, calling him a "liability".
Lisandro Martinez did not do himself any favours at Stamford Bridge - Getty Images/Steffan Bowen
06:41pm
Ahead of the confirmed line-ups coming out shortly, there are certain players we know we will not be seeing today.
Patrick Dorgu (hamstring), Luke Shaw (unspecified) and Benjamin Sesko (shin) remain sidelined for United, while Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo will be assessed before the match.
There are no new concerns for Gasperini after his side's latest match, the 5-2 win over Udinese, but he remains unable to select Muhammed Bah (ACL), Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone (thigh), Lorenzo Pellegrini (thigh) and first-choice keeper Mile Svilar (stress fracture, foot).
Paulo Dybala will not feature for Roma as they visit Old Trafford - Reuters/Matteo Ciambelli
06:24pm
Happy Tuesday and thanks for tuning in to tonight's coverage of Manchester United against Roma.
It's matchday four of the Champions League and Michael Carrick's side host their Serie A opponents having failed to win any of their last nine matches across all competitions. Since their win against Sabah back in September (must feel like years ago to Carrick), they have suffered chastening defeats in Europe to Atlético Madrid and then Cesc Fabregas's Como. This has been coupled with dismal performances in the Premier League, most recently a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, where Lisandro Martínez was sent off for two ridiculous fouls.
All in all, there is the feeling that Carrick is simply a dead man walking, limping towards the international break after the United hierarchy decided on a stay of execution in their crisis talks earlier this month. If the beleaguered manager has any hope at all of hanging on to his job, he needs convincing results tonight and against Aston Villa on the weekend.
Despite the doom-mongering that circles the club, Carrick maintains that he has buried the hatchet with Bruno Fernandes following his captain's public criticisms of the club, insisting that "the dressing room is a good place" in his pre-match press conference (more on that to come).
The visitors on the other hand, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini – who replaced Claudio Ranieri last summer – are certainly having a better time of it. They got off to a slow start in Europe, drawing with Fernebahce in their opening match but coming agonisingly close to stunning Real Madrid on matchday two at home. They went 3-1 up before three late goals snatched victory for Madrid.
They bounced back with a convincing 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava and their domestic campaign is off to an incredibly promising start. They are currently unbeaten in Serie A with seven wins and three draws. They sit third and are the highest scoring side, with 28 goals from their 10 games. Free-flowing though their attack is, there a certainly defensive frailties there to exploit as they conceded three in a six-goal thriller against Napoli, as well as two in both matches against Cagliari and Udinese.
It has been 19 years since Carrick was part of a United side that thrashed Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford, with the midfielder scoring two. Tonight he faces that same opponent with his job hanging by a thread and it remains to be seen if his team can produce any semblance of that spark to turn the tide. Feel free to drop us your score predictions in the comments – bragging rights on the line for the winner.
We'll be bringing you team news, previews from the managers and more ahead of kick-off at 8pm!
