Matheus Cunha struck twice within four minutes, and Bruno Fernandes converted a retaken penalty, as Manchester United recovered from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford. The win ended a nine-game winless run and eased the pressure on Michael Carrick.
Manchester, England: Old Trafford spent the first half bracing for another night of damage and spent the last ten minutes roaring. Manchester United, facing supporter protests before kick-off and two goals behind by the 17th minute, turned the Champions League league-phase tie around with three second-half goals and held on with ten men.
Roma punish United’s gaps
Roma took the lead in the 11th minute. Matías Soulé was left unmarked on a diagonal ball from Rodrigo Mora and finished past Senne Lammens. Six minutes later the visitors had a second. Soulé’s shot struck the arm of United defender Ayden Heaven, a penalty was awarded and Donyell Malen beat Lammens from the spot. Roma led 2-0 at the interval.
A retake turns the night
United needed a spark, and it came from the penalty spot in the 58th minute. Bruno Fernandes saw his first kick saved by Devis Vásquez, but the referee ordered a retake because Roma players had encroached into the area. Fernandes scored the second time to make it 2-1. Carlos Baleba had already gone off with a hamstring injury, replaced by Youri Tielemans in the 51st minute, and Bryan Mbeumo hit both posts with a single shot as United pushed for more.
Cunha takes over
The equaliser arrived in the 83rd minute. Fernandes crossed, Leonardo Balerdi failed to clear and Cunha scored from close range. Three minutes later Shea Lacey threaded a pass through to Cunha, who drove a right-footed shot inside the near post for a 3-2 lead.
The celebration cost him. Cunha was booked for removing his shirt, and in the first minute of stoppage time he was shown a second yellow card for a late sliding challenge on Balerdi. Referee Jesús Gil Manzano sent him off, and United saw out the remaining minutes with ten men.
Relief for Carrick, with a long way still to go
The result was United’s first win in any competition since a 4-0 victory over Sabah on September 10, and it came after three straight defeats: a 4-1 loss at Como in this competition, a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea that deepened Carrick’s crisis. Fans demonstrated before and during the Roma game, directing much of their anger at the club’s owners and board as well as the manager.
Carrick’s position remains uncertain, but the manner of the comeback will count in his favour. United host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday and then travel to Liverpool.
Result: Manchester United 3, Roma 2 (UEFA Champions League, league phase, Matchday 4, Old Trafford, November 3, 2026). United scorers: Fernandes 58′ (penalty), Cunha 83′, 86′. Roma scorers: Soulé 11′, Malen 17′ (penalty). Sent off: Cunha (United), 90’+1, second yellow card.
