Manchester United fans delay club's Champions League match in protest at ownership

Michael Carrick speaks to the press after Manchester United lose 4-1 to Como | PA. Several green and gold balloons and tennis balls were thrown from the Stretford End halfway through the first half as supporters voiced their anger at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.

The referee paused the game briefly to clear the pitch before United could restart the contest. The atmosphere at Old Trafford turned hostile early on after the Red Devils went 2-0 down in the first 20 minutes.

Matias Soule opened up the scoring after United were carved open through one diagonal ball. The Argentine had acres of space as he slotted home to put Roma in the lead.

Donyell Malen then converted from 12 yards to make it 2-0 following a handball by Ayden Heaven. Boos started to ring out around Old Trafford as the home side had no response to the Italian outfit's start.

Defeat will mean United have not won a game in 10, as pressure starts to reach a breaking point for Michael Carrick. Ahead of tonight's contest, Carrick shrugged off any concerns about him being sacked, saying he "can't wait" for the Roma match.

He said: "Listen, I can't look into the future. You never know what's going to happen, I don't know what's going to happen.

That doesn't change the way I feel, how we're preparing for the game tomorrow, and I'm actually really looking forward to the game. Can't wait for the game tomorrow.

You might think I'm crazy with the results we've had and what's going on, but I genuinely really can't wait for the game tomorrow, and that's all I'm focused on. Whatever happens is going to happen after that in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow night first.

Carrick defended his players ahead of the game following questions about how much effort they put into games. He said: I've said it before, the commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other, I don't question that at all."