Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League league phase at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in three minutes late on before being sent off in stoppage time.
Match facts
- Result: Manchester United 3-2 Roma (half-time 0-2)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase, Matchday 4
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Scorers: Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes 58' (pen), Matheus Cunha 83', 86'; Roma - Matías Soulé 11', Donyell Malen 17' (pen)
- Red cards: Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) 90+1', second yellow
How the match unfolded
Roma made a fast start. Matías Soulé put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute, and six minutes later Donyell Malen converted a penalty to make it 2-0. United were booed off at half-time.
United lost midfielder Carlos Baleba to injury early in the second half, but the game turned soon afterwards. Cunha went down under a challenge from Gianluca Mancini and a penalty was given. Roma goalkeeper Devis Vasquez saved Bruno Fernandes' first attempt, but the kick was ordered to be retaken for encroachment, and the United captain smashed the second one in on 58 minutes.
United pushed for an equaliser, and it came in the 83rd minute. Leonardo Balerdi missed his clearance from a Fernandes delivery, and Cunha finished from close range. Three minutes later Shea Lacey slipped the ball through to Cunha, who beat Vasquez from a tight angle to put United 3-2 up.
Cunha was booked for taking off his shirt during his celebration. In the first minute of stoppage time he picked up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Balerdi, so United played out the closing minutes with 10 men and held on.
What does the win mean for Michael Carrick?
The result ended a run of nine games without a win for Michael Carrick's side, United's first victory since they beat Sabah on 10 September. Carrick had come into the game under heavy pressure over his future, and the comeback gives him and his players some relief.
The night was not all positive. Cunha's red card means he faces a suspension under UEFA rules, and there is now concern over the fitness of Baleba. Fans also staged a protest inside Old Trafford during the game, throwing balls onto the pitch.
For more Champions League coverage, see the Champions League section. For United's Premier League rivals, read our report on Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal and Newcastle 0-1 Everton.
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