Roma will start third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez against Manchester United after Pierluigi Gollini suffered a back injury on the morning of the match.
The Europa League fixture at Old Trafford begins at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CEST), with Roma already facing a series of fitness problems. Mile Svilar has been unavailable for a month, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also missing.
Gollini was given pain-killing injections after hurting his back during Roma’s final training session, but the treatment did not allow him to play. Vasquez, who is the club’s fourth goalkeeper available to the squad, was therefore called into the starting line-up.
“We took longer than expected to get here without a police escort, but we’re here now, these things happen,” Roma director Tony D’Amico told Sky Sport Italia.
“Gollini felt back pain this morning, we tried to get him back in shape, but didn’t manage it, we have faith in Vasquez. This is an opportunity for him, he is one of the four goalkeepers at our disposal and these things happen.
“He will have a big chance and we are confident he can have a good game.”
Roma had expected manager Gian Piero Gasperini to speak to the media before kick-off. However, the team’s delayed arrival at the stadium because of traffic in Manchester meant D’Amico took over the pre-match media duties.
The latest injury leaves Roma with another challenge before a match against Manchester United, but their season has otherwise been consistent. They have lost only once in all competitions, suffering a 4-3 defeat by Real Madrid after surrendering a 3-1 lead in the 82nd minute.
Updates from Manchester United v Roma, along with coverage of Feyenoord v Inter, are available via the liveblog.
