Manchester United host Roma in the Champions League tonight as Michael Carrick desperately seeks an end to their woeful winless run.
The beleaguered Man Utd boss may now have only two games left to save his job, with a further review expected during the November international break, following Sunday’s home clash with Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Though his side delivered a much-improved first-half display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the wheels then swiftly fell off in familiarly chaotic fashion as Lisandro Martinez was dismissed in a 2-0 loss - United’s third in a row and fourth in the last five matches.
United's historic slump
They have gone nine matches without a victory for the first time since the 1988/89 season to spark genuine concern over a potential relegation battle, having not won at all since their last Champions League home fixture - the 4-0 drubbing of Azerbaijani debutants Sabah FK on September 10.
But, having lost away at Atletico Madrid and Como since then to slip to 21st in the league phase table, they can expect a much sterner challenge from Roma, who continue to thrive despite a lengthy injury list that has seen them travel to Old Trafford with only 17 available outfield players.
Roma's strong form
The Giallorossi are in strong form under Gian Piero Gasperini and sit third in Serie A, still unbeaten and four points adrift of leaders Inter Milan after 10 games having won four of their last five matches across all competitions including Saturday’s 5-2 demolition of struggling Udinese.
Roma brushed aside Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in their last Champions League outing, having also been edged out by Real Madrid in a seven-goal thriller and drawn with Fenerbahce to sit 15th.
Carrick will hope to invoke the spirit of 2007, when he scored twice for United in a memorable 7-1 home trouncing of Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals.
How to watch Manchester United vs Roma
Unlike most Champions League fixtures, tonight’s game is not being shown live in the UK on TNT Sports. Instead, it will be broadcast by Amazon Prime Video, who still have the first pick of one Tuesday night match up until the semi-finals.
Coverage begins at 6:30pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford, presented by Gabby Logan and featuring punditry from former United trio Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ashley Young.
Alan Shearer is on co-commentary duties, alongside Jon Champion.
