Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, a Champions League win that ended a nine-match winless streak and gave head coach Michael Carrick some badly needed breathing space. Matheus Cunha was the hero of the Man United Roma clash, scoring twice in the closing minutes before being sent off in stoppage time.
Roma cruise into early lead
The Italians looked set for a comfortable night in the league phase’s fourth round. Matias Soule found space at the back post to open the scoring on 11 minutes after United failed to track a switch of play across the pitch.
Seven minutes later it was 2-0. Ayden Heaven blocked a Soule effort with his arm, and Donyell Malen tucked away the resulting penalty. Roma, the top scorers in Serie A this season, went in at half-time two goals clear.
Fernandes spot-kick sparks fightback
United were handed a lifeline just before the hour. Bruno Fernandes saw his first penalty saved by Devis Vasquez, but the kick was ordered to be retaken because Roma players had encroached into the box, and the captain made no mistake at the second attempt on 58 minutes.
Bryan Mbeumo then struck both posts in the same move, and Old Trafford sensed something was building. With seven minutes left, Leonardo Balerdi misjudged a clearance and Cunha pounced to level. Three minutes later the Brazilian struck again at the near post to complete the turnaround.
Cunha red card and a touchline moment
Cunha’s night ended early. He had already been booked for taking off his shirt to celebrate, and a rash challenge in added time earned him a second yellow. When the final whistle went he tried to walk back onto the pitch to join the celebrations, only for Carrick to steer him towards the tunnel, as SportBible reported. Under the Laws of the Game, a dismissed player must leave the vicinity of the field and cannot come back.
Carrick said afterwards he was “disappointed with how it finished, but it just shows how much he cares”.
What the Man United Roma result means for Carrick
The win was United’s first in any competition since a 4-0 victory over Sabah on 10 September, according to NBC Sports. It followed a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Saturday, when Lisandro Martinez was sent off, a result that left United just above the relegation zone, as reported by RTÉ.
Asked about his own future, Carrick refused to look beyond the next fixture, telling reporters: “I don’t have a crystal ball to know what happens next.” He pointed instead to a big home game against Aston Villa.
Fernandes, meanwhile, insisted the players were not trying to rescue anybody’s job, and spoke of having been benched after earlier comments he made. Youri Tielemans was among those who acknowledged the pressure Carrick has been under.
For now, the Man United Roma comeback has bought the head coach a little time. Whether it proves a turning point or a brief reprieve will become clear quickly, with Villa next up at Old Trafford.
Read more: Le Bris on the brink? Sunderland rock bottom with five points after Coventry humiliation – and the next five fixtures are a horror show · ‘I’m not here to be loved’: Glasner’s furious Forest ultimatum – buy in or get out, or a SIXTH manager will be coming
Sources: NBC Sports (live), NBC Sports (reaction), SportBible, UEFA, RTÉ
Leave a Reply