Ex-Roma winger recalls ‘disaster’ against Man United but issues warning

Former Roma winger Amantino Mancini recalls Manchester United’s 7-1 win over the Giallorossi in 2007: ‘It was a disaster, but both teams are very different now.’

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight in the Champions League Round 4.

The Giallorossi have grabbed four points in the opening three league-stage games, one more than the Red Devils, who lost 4-1 away at Como in their previous European fixture.

This Old Trafford clash brings back memories of Manchester United’s 7-1 win over the Giallorossi in the 2006-07 campaign.

Mancini on Man United 7-1 Roma: ‘A disaster’

It was the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, and Roma had won the reverse fixture in Italy 2-1.

“Facing Manchester United then was very hard, but also a source of pride, because they had a great team with strong players: Rooney, Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Giggs. They were so strong. It was not easy to play at Old Trafford. It was a nice experience, part of my career,” former Brazilian winger Mancini, who started that game for Roma, told Fanpage.

“Confidence grew after a 2-1 win at the Olimpico. It was a good moment for us, and the season had been fantastic. We knew we’d face one of the best teams in the world, and it was an enormous satisfaction.”

Current Manchester United boss Michael Carrick scored the first goal for the Red Devils.

“After 15 minutes, we didn’t know what was happening, and in the end, it really ended badly for us. We didn’t expect such a result; it was a very hard night for all of us,” Mancini added.

“The most impressive thing was the pace and intensity they brought to the field. Cristiano Ronaldo was devastating back then; he played as a winger and was physically scary. They had Rooney, who didn’t have the same athleticism as CR7, but he was always in the right place and fundamental to their game. They both impressed me so much.

“That night, I truly saw Cristiano Ronaldo as someone from another planet.

“When we returned to the dressing room, we had little to say. The coach said we had to limit damage because it was a difficult moment. We had to concede as few goals as possible to avoid embarrassment. Unfortunately, it ended as we all know.

“On the way back, after such a defeat, you think about a lot of things, even giving up… The atmosphere is really bad; you don’t sleep well; you’re not hungry.

“It’s very tough, but it’s football; it was our job, and a footballer must have the personality to face and overcome these situations. Just one word: it was a disaster.”

Roma and Manchester United are in very different situations currently. The Red Devils haven’t won since September, while Roma have lost only one game this season.

“Both teams are different now,” Mancini concluded.

“Roma play better football than Manchester United today, and they can go to Old Trafford to win. Right now, Gasperini’s team is in better shape, as they are proving it on the field.”