Manchester United vs Roma preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Manchester United host Roma in the first leg of the Europa League semi final on Thursday evening, where a solid home performance is key to progression.

United reached the last four of the Europa League last season but were disappointingly knocked out by Sevilla in a one-game shootout, but with the competition returning to its traditional two leg format, they have the chance to correct last season's error against the Italian side.

Roma topped their group in the Europa League and have carved out a fine run in the competition thus far, but only at the expense of their domestic form which sees them well off the pace of usual Serie A rivals in seventh. A win against United would make it all worthwhile, however, having failed to beat them in any of their three previous meetings in UEFA competition.

Here's 90min's preview of the game.

Where to watch Manchester United vs Roma

When is the match? Thursday 29 April
What time is kick off? 20:00 (BST)
Where is it played? Old Trafford
TV Channel? BT Sport 2/BT Sport Ultimate (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Carlos del Cerro Grande
VAR? Alejandro Hernandez

Manchester United team news

Anthony Martial remains sidelined with a knee injury for United with his chances of featuring again this season looking increasingly unlikely. Phil Jones also remains unavailable.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fielded a rotated side in United's weekend draw against Leeds. Both Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani started from the bench, suggesting they will likely return to the XI for Thursday's tie. Eric Bailly signed a new contract with United this week and has recovered from a period with COVID-19, thus could also feature.

The Red Devils otherwise have a full squad ready with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay all available after serving a suspension in the last round.

Roma team news

Chris Smalling has recovered from a knee injury and returned after a month out at the weekend, putting him in line for a return against his former employers having moved to Italy on a permanent deal last summer. Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also feature against his old club - the pair won the competition with United in 2017.

Marash Kumbulla, Stephan El Shaarawy and Leonardo Spinazzola all returned to training for Paulo Fonseca's side at the weekend and could all come back into consideration.

Former Chelsea winger Pedro remains out, as does long-term absentee Nicolo Zaniolo.

Predicted lineups

Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani.

Roma: Lopez; Mancini, Smalling, Fazio; Karsdorp, Diawara, Veretout, Spinazzola; Perez, Pellegrini, Dzeko.

Manchester United recent form

Leeds United 0-0 Manchester United (25/4) - Premier League
Manchester United 3-1 Burnley (18/4) - Premier League
Manchester United 2-0 Granada (15/4) - Europa League
Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United (11/4) - Premier League
Granada 0-2 Manchester United (8/4) - Europa League

Roma recent form

Cagliari 3-2 Roma (25/4) - Serie A
Roma 1-1 Atalanta (22/4) - Serie A
Torino 3-1 Roma (18/4) - Serie A
Roma 1-1 Ajax (15/4) - Europa League
Roma 1-0 Bologna (11/4) - Serie A

Prediction

While on paper a European semi-final involving Manchester United and Roma sounds like the peak of football heritage, both sides have endured somewhat of a fall from grace.

However, United are on the up while Roma are stuttering severely in Serie A. I Giallorossi have lost ten league games this season and cannot find form for the life of them.

Being at home in the first leg adds some pressure for the Red Devils, but anything less than a win would be bitterly disappointing for the hosts.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Roma