What to watch in UEFA Champions League: Michael Carrick's Manchester United future on the line

A visit from high-scoring Roma leaves the Red Devils little margin for error at Old Trafford as they fight to avoid an early European exit The midway point of the Champions League phase is upon us, and already the pressure is beginning to build on some of the biggest clubs in Europe. For some — the likes of Bayern Munich, Inter and Manchester City — the coming days will be about scrabbling back up the table and establishing a grip on one of the coveted top eight berths. Altogether more significant are those teams who might have to legitimately worry about whether they can reach the top 24. On current form Manchester United are certainly among them, and their home game against Roma threatens to be critical for the club's Champions League prospects.

Perhaps the future of their manager too. A little over a week ago it seemed only logical to log the remainder of Michael Carrick's time as Manchester United manager in hours. Back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth, each by a three-goal margin, had the club hovering around the drop zone in both the Premier League and Champions League standings. Club captain Bruno Fernandes had openly questioned Carrick's tactics, fostering a greater sense of mutiny in the aftermath of center back Lisandro Martinez turning both barrels on those