In the first leg of their Europa League semi-final Manchester United will host Serie A side Roma on Thursday, with the tie deciding both clubs’ seasons. Since the start of last year United are yet to reach a final in their fifth semi-final while the under-performing Italian side comes into Old Trafford with only one win in their last seven league games. Here’s all you need to know about Manchester United vs Roma prediction team news and lineup.
Team news
Manchester United lineup: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay returns to Manchester United after serving a one-match suspension in the Europa League last time out.
Mason Greenwood has had a decent run in the side recently, but if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer uses Pogba on the left wing on Thursday, he will most likely slip to the bench.
Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are also expected to return to the starting XI on Thursday night after being rested for Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Leeds.
David de Gea will start for the home side after losing his starting spot in the league to Dean Henderson.
Roma lineup: Lopez; Cristante, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Diawara, Veretout, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Dzeko
In recent weeks, Roma’s injury woes have eased with former Manchester United teammates Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan returning in particular.
Edin Dzeko has scored more goals against Manchester United than any other English team in his career (6). On Thursday, the former Manchester City striker would expect to start against their local rivals.
Ibanez will be ready to return to the starting XI after skipping Roma’s loss to Cagliari on Sunday due to suspension.
With Gianluca Mancini suspended, Bryan Cristante is expected to resume with the Italians. The left wing-back will be either Leonardo Spinazzola or Bruno Peres.
Pedro and Nicolo Zaniolo are the only players likely to miss out for Roma.
Manchester United vs Roma Prediction
United is undefeated in the last five matches between the two teams notwithstanding the fact that this is their first competitive meeting since 2008. If Roma could bring an away goal back to Italy for the second leg they will be happy with a narrow loss on Thursday.
Over the course of this match, an interesting clash of cultures will unfold, as possession-oriented Roma – who have conceded more than anybody else in the top half of Serie A – face a Manchester United side that is most dangerous on the counter.
As the Giallorossi has staggered their way through spring the hosts’ confidence is surely stronger, while in-form United manages to score goals from a number of outlets, allowing United to build a valuable lead to take to Rome next week.
Our Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Roma
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