AFCON 2025
Matheus Cunha scored twice in three minutes before being sent off as Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, ending a nine-match winless run in all competitions and giving Michael Carrick a much-needed lifeline.
United started the night in disarray, with Matías Soulé punishing a Kobbie Mainoo error in the 11th minute and Donyell Malen doubling Roma’s lead from the penalty spot in the 17th, the fastest pair of goals any away side has scored at Old Trafford in European competition.
Carrick looked 45 minutes from losing his job at half-time, but United responded after the break when Cunha won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes saw saved before the referee ordered a retake and the captain converted it in the 58th minute.
Cunha then took control of the game, pouncing on a Leonardo Balerdi error to level the score in the 83rd minute and driving a near-post finish past goalkeeper Devis Vásquez three minutes later after substitute Shea Lacey found him on the right of the area.
His celebrations proved expensive, as the referee booked him for removing his shirt after the winner and showed him a second yellow card in the first minute of stoppage time for a late challenge on Balerdi, which left United to see out the closing stages with 10 men while Sir Alex Ferguson watched from the stands.
The result eases the pressure on Carrick, who has faced mounting scrutiny after defeats to Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea, and he admitted afterwards that a long run without wins breeds uncertainty. “When you’re not winning, there’s often hesitation and doubt,” he said.
United still have defensive problems to fix, as the two early goals showed, but Fernandes and Cunha gave Carrick’s side a platform to build on after weeks of misery.
