Before the match

Man United arrived without a win in their last five outings, recording one draw and four defeats, scoring two goals and conceding 12, failing to score in three of those games. A 2-0 defeat away to Chelsea (31 October) was their most recent result.

Premier League, 31 October brought an away meeting with Chelsea; Man United lost 0-2, a return of zero goals scored and two conceded. Man United hosted Bournemouth on 25 October (Premier League) and lost 0-3; their goals totalled zero, compared with three conceded. Como 1907 hosted Man United (Champions League) on 21 October. For Man United, the score was 1-4: one goal scored, four allowed. 1-1 was Man United's result against Leeds United on 18 October (Premier League), playing away from home; Man United drew, with one scored to one conceded. The 13 October fixture (Champions League) paired Man United with Atleti. Man United lost 0-2 away from home, netting zero goals while conceding two.

Man United: 21st, three points, three matches in the calculated Champions League standings at kickoff.

Roma's previous five results comprised four wins and one draw. Their goal totals were 18 scored and 7 conceded, with no defeats. Udinese were their latest opponents, away on 31 October: a 5-2 win; their biggest win in that spell was 4-0 at home to Sl. Bratislava on 20 October.

On 31 October, Udinese faced Roma in Serie A: Roma won 5-2 away from home, having scored five and conceded two. Serie A, 27 October brought a home meeting with Cagliari; Roma won 4-2, a return of four goals scored and two conceded. Roma visited Napoli on 24 October (Serie A) and drew 3-3; their goals totalled three, compared with three conceded. Sl. Bratislava travelled to face Roma (Champions League) on 20 October. For Roma, the score was 4-0: four goals scored, zero allowed. 2-0 was Roma's result against Genoa on 17 October (Serie A), playing at home; Roma won, with two scored to zero conceded.

four points in three matches put Roma 16th in the pre-match results-based Champions League standings.

After the match

Matias Soule opened the scoring inside the first 11 minutes for Roma, set up by Rodrigo Mora, to make it 1-0. Donyell Malen added to the tally from the penalty spot in the 17th minute for Roma to make it 2-0. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the penalty spot 58 minutes into the game for Man United to make it 1-2. Matheus Cunha levelled it late on, in the 83rd minute for Man United to make it 2-2. Matheus Cunha put Man United in front late on, in the 86th minute, set up by Shea Lacey, to make it 3-2. Matheus Cunha (90') was sent off. 7 players were booked, among them Matias Soule (20'), Bruno Fernandes (20'), Emanuele Lulli (35'), Donyell Malen (42'), Ayden Heaven (70') and Harry Maguire (78'). Our current Elo ratings make Roma clearly the stronger side, by 123 rating points over Man United, even though it was Man United who won this one. 2 gols came after the 80th minute. On current ratings our Elo-Poisson model gives Man United only a 28.7% chance in this pairing, less than one in three. Man United: four yellow cards and one red card. five changes were recorded for Man United. Shea Lacey provided an assist following entry for Man United in the 75th minute. The card tally for Roma was three yellow cards. Roma made five changes. After coming on for Roma in minute 21, Emanuele Lulli was booked. The scoring record shows one lead change. After trailing, Man United secured the win.