Manchester United will head to Italy to take on Roma in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals. We already have one foot in the final thanks to our impressive second half in the first leg that saw us win 6-2. It has not been ideal preparation for either side. United had their match against Liverpool postponed due to the fan protests and Roma lost in the league at the weekend.
After a disjointed first half performance, both Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani bagged two goals each as United came from behind again to thump the Italian side, which has effectively secured our place in the final. Though the final score did match the 7-1 demolition of the same side back in 2007 during the UEFA Champions League, the victory was even sweeter due to the second half performance.
If United does not have a major catastrophe, then Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side will be relieved to break their duck of four consecutive semi-final defeats previously. This includes last year’s defeat to Sevilla at the same stage of the Europa League. We remain favourites to pick up the trophy after our success in the tournament back in 2017 under Jose Mourinho, who has now been appointed manager of Roma for next season. Only Villarreal or Arsenal will stand in our way in the final.
Following the uproar of the European Super League, further fan protests resulted in last Sunday’s game against Liverpool being postponed. Despite the game not going ahead, it has seen the players get a full week of rest between the home and away leg of this tie. Bruno Fernandes who has scored 19 goals from 31 previous Europa League outings will be wanting to add to his tally in the Eternal City.
Opposition Preview
Roma’s task of overturning a four-goal deficit looks improbable. The Italian side are currently in their worst run of form having lost 2-0 to Sampdoria in the league at the weekend. This follows on from their previous 3-2 defeat against relegation strugglers Cagliari. Manager Paulo Fonseca had hoped going all the way in the Europa League would save his job.
However, it was announced this week that Fonseca would be leaving the club at the end of the season. United’s former manager Jose Mourinho will be taking over from next season. Defender Gianluca Mancini said the team deserve to lose both their last two games and apologize to the fans. Their dreams of reaching their first European final in 30 years disappear in the space of 45 minutes.
Mancini had admitted the absence of several first team players have contributed to the downfall in the team’s form. They were the first side to make three substitutions in the first half of the Europa League match, as three players succumbed to injuries.
The defeat to United and then again in the league means Roma have only won one of their last nine games away from the Stadio Olimpico. They have much better record at home this season and though reaching the final is out of sight, they will want to restore some pride after their display in the first leg.
Roma vs Manchester United Match Details
Teams: Roma vs Manchester United
Date: May 6th, 2020 (Thursday)
KO Time: 20:00 GMT
Competition: UEFA Europa League
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Referee: Felix Brych
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Paulo Fonseca
Manchester United Team News
As for United, it should be a near full strength squad for Ole Gunnar Solskjær to choose from. The only long-term absentees for us are Anthony Martial and Phil Jones. Both Dean Henderson and Daniel James who did not feature in the first leg will be pushing to be in the starting eleven after the postponement of the Liverpool game. Mason Greenwood will also be wanting game time in the second leg as he pushes his claim for a spot in the final.
Manchester United vs Roma Pre-Match Press Conference
During the pre-match press conference, Ole was asked his thoughts how the postponed game against Liverpool has affected the preparation for this game. He said, “It has changed the whole cycle, of course it has done. We had a game Thursday and prepared for Sunday again. Sunday would have been the perfect day to test them again, physically, but it was more of a mental challenge. The Monday was a harder day in training. It changes the whole thing, the whole plan. But you have to be adaptable and with the world that we live in now you can’t think that it’s going to be… that you get the fixture list in August and it won’t change. The boys have been terrific at that, at adapting to different challenges.”
Bruno Fernandes who joined Ole in the press conference was asked what would winning a trophy do for this team. He said, “For us, it is a psychological improvement if we win the Europa League. Because last season we didn’t win anything, so if we win a trophy it is an improvement. It’s still not enough for us, but it is something from the club, from the players to say that we are doing better. But there is still a lot to improve, as I said before.”
Roma Team News
With mounting injury woes, Roma have confirmed that that first-choice goalkeeper Pau Lopez is out for the season after picking up a shoulder injury in the first leg. Antonio Mirante is expected to deputise. Jordan Veretout and Leonardo Spinazzola also remain doubts for the game having to withdraw not long into the first leg. Bruno Peres is likely to be available if he overcomes his knock. Gianluca Mancini has served his European suspension and will be available to play.
Form Guide
Manchester United Europa League form: DDWWWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WWWWDW
Roma Europa League form: WWWWDL
Roma form (all competitions): DLDLLL
Interesting Facts
- Manchester United have won five of their last six meetings with Roma in all competitions, drawing the other 1-1 in December 2007. (source: Opta)
- Manchester United have won each of their last four UEFA Europa League games, last winning five successive matches in all European competition in May 2011, before losing to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley. (source: Opta)
- Bar the sensational comeback by Barcelona against PSG in 2017, no side has come back from a four goal deficit in the Champions League history.
- Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have 15 goals in Europe this season. They have 75 G/A between them this season in all competitions.
- Manchester United could keep their seventh clean sheet in Europe this season. Six have come in the eight Europa League matches.
Roma vs Manchester United Predicted Lineup
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba, and Greenwood.
Prediction
The task of reaching the final is all but complete. It would be a major disaster if United did not reach the final from our current position. The players will be full of confidence and well rested as they take on an injury hit Roma.
Predicted Score
Roma 1-2 Manchester United
