Roma are in strong form but carrying a significant injury burden as they head into a demanding stretch of fixtures. Back-to-back wins, a 4-2 home victory over Cagliari and a commanding 5-2 away win at Udinese, have lifted the club to third in Serie A with 24 points from ten games, just one behind the top two. The wins have reinforced the sense that Gasperini has built a resilient, goal-hungry squad capable of winning even when stretched.

The injury situation, though, remains a genuine concern. Gasperini confirmed after the Udinese win that Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and goalkeeper Mile Svilar are all unlikely to return before the international break. Dybala's muscle problem, picked up against Real Madrid in the Champions League, has proved more serious than initially suggested, and the Argentine missed both recent league games. His absence has opened the door for Rodrigo Mora, who scored the decisive header against Cagliari and followed it up with another goal at Udine, quickly establishing himself as the most credible option behind the Argentine.

Attention now turns to Old Trafford, where Roma face Manchester United in the Champions League. United arrive in poor domestic form, sitting 16th in the Premier League, and Roma will sense an opportunity to make a statement in Europe. Gollini, set to start in goal, has a personal connection to the ground, having come through United's academy as a teenager.