Manchester United vs AS Roma — 5 Key Battles to watch out for | UEFA Europa League 2020/21

#3 Roger Ibanez vs Paul Pogba

Sporting Braga v AS Roma - UEFA Europa League Round Of 32 Leg One

Paul Pogba has reinvented himself in recent months by playing on the left of a midfield three players behind the striker. He's been a joy to watch, taking on players for fun and pulling the strings in the final third. He has, more often than not, provided the killer pass to unlock defences. Pogba's displays against Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan have been prime examples of this new role.

Against Roma, the onus of keeping Pogba at arm's length is likely to be placed on young Roger Ibanez. The 22-year-old Brazilian has been in fantastic form this season and has garnered attention from Liverpool with his displays.

🅰️ Pogba's now registered 4 assists in his last 5 Manchester United appearances having failed to register an assist in the previous 22 outings https://t.co/pqTTXsgcnR

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 18, 2021

Ibanez could start on the right side of Roma's three-man defence and end up facing Pogba. The majestic Frenchman will prove to be a tricky test for the South American.

---

#2 Chris Smalling vs Edinson Cavani

ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A

After nearly a decade of service at Old Trafford, Manchester United's Chris Smalling has found a new lease of life with the Giallorossi. Smalling initially moved on a loan deal and has gone on to become a titan in defence for Roma, who were impressed with the Englishman and made his move permanent. Smalling will be tasked with keeping out one of the best strikers of his generation, Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan has been in superb form over the last few weeks, scoring the winners against Spurs and Granada and capping off a slick team move against Burnley.

5 - Five of Edinson Cavani's seven Premier League goals for Manchester United have been headed; indeed, only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored more headed goals in this season's competition (six) than the Uruguayan. Force. pic.twitter.com/K9btQfsxgk

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 11, 2021

Cavani is one of the best headers of the ball in Europe and will be a handful for Smalling to deal with. The 34-year-old has scored more goals against Roma than any other Italian side (nine) in his career.

---

#1 Edin Dzeko vs Harry Maguire

Manchester United v Liverpool: The Emirates FA Cup 4th Round

Arguably the biggest and most influential battle of the night could be that between Harry Maguire and Edin Dzeko. The Manchester United captain has been a colossus for the Red Devils, helping them keep four clean sheets in the five UEL games he's played. Maguire has been in sublime touch, particularly in 2021, and will be the main player responsible for dealing with Edin Dzeko.

The former Manchester City striker has an abundance of experience playing against the Red Devils as he's scored six goals against them in his career.

30 - Edin Dzeko (30 for AS Roma) is one of the only four players able to score 30+ goals for a single Italian club among #UCL/European Cup and #UEL/UEFA Cup, level with Del Piero (46 for Juventus), Inzaghi (36 for AC Milan) and Shevchenko (33 for AC Milan). Hammer.#RomaAjax pic.twitter.com/JrytADwstR

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 15, 2021

Dzeko already has four goals and an assist in the Europa League this season, and Solskjaer has already spoken about the Bosnian's threat, saying "any ball in the box is a dangerous one."

Maguire will have to be at his sharpest, both on the ground and aerially, to stop Dzeko from influencing the semi-final tie.

---