Matheus Cunha scored twice in the final 10 minutes before being sent off as Manchester United produced a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick’s side looked destined for another damaging defeat after Matias Soule and Donyell Malen gave the Italian visitors a commanding first-half lead, as reported by 101 Great Goals.
Roma Punishes Slow United Start
United entered the contest desperate for a response following a Premier League defeat to Chelsea, but their problems were immediately apparent against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. The hosts struggled to retain possession and were repeatedly exposed by Roma’s movement in the attacking third. Their defensive frailties were punished in the 11th minute when Kobbie Mainoo surrendered possession, allowing Roma to break forward. Rodrigo Mora spotted Soule completely unmarked on the far side and picked him out with an excellent diagonal pass, allowing the Argentine to finish past Senne Lammens.
United barely had time to recover before Roma doubled their advantage six minutes later. Soule worked his way into the penalty area before seeing his shot blocked by Ayden Heaven’s arm. Referee Jesus Gil Manzano pointed to the penalty spot, and Malen stepped up to send Lammens the wrong way. The second goal prompted further frustration from the Old Trafford crowd, with United managing just one shot on target before the interval.
Fernandes Sparks Comeback Before Cunha Winner
United returned for the second half needing a significant improvement, although their problems deepened almost immediately when Carlos Baleba suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Youri Tielemans in the 51st minute. However, the hosts were handed a route back into the contest four minutes later when Cunha went down under a challenge from Gianluca Mancini inside the penalty area. Gil Manzano awarded a penalty, giving Bruno Fernandes the opportunity to halve the deficit.
The United captain initially saw his tame effort saved by Roma goalkeeper Devis Vasquez, but the referee ordered a retake because of encroachment by the visitors. Fernandes made no mistake with his second attempt, hammering the ball into the roof of the net in the 58th minute. The goal transformed the atmosphere, and United almost equalised immediately when Bryan Mbeumo guided his finish beyond Vasquez, only to watch in disbelief as the ball struck both posts and bounced away.
The visitors appeared to be holding on as the contest entered its closing stages, but their resistance finally broke in the 83rd minute. Fernandes delivered a cross into the penalty area, and Leonardo Balerdi completely missed his attempted clearance, allowing the ball to fall kindly to Cunha, who scored from close range. Just three minutes later, Lacey threaded a pass through to Cunha, who struck a powerful right-footed effort past Vasquez via the inside of the near port to complete the turnaround.
However, the forward’s celebrations proved costly as Cunha removed his shirt after scoring and received a yellow card. He then made a late sliding challenge on Balerdi in the first minute of stoppage time, prompting Gil Manzano to produce a second yellow card and send the goalscorer off. Roma pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but United survived the final moments to secure the victory.
