Michael Carrick’s masterclass might save Man Utd job in unbelievable comeback win
Michael Carrick could have saved his Manchester United on a famous Old Trafford night as Matheus Cunha’s dramatic late brace completed a sensationl comeback to beat Roma
Matheus Cunha’s brace completed a stunning comeback(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick may have saved his Manchester United job as Matheus Cunha’s dramatic late brace completed a sensational comeback win over Roma. Having trailed 2-0 at half-time United rallied in spectacular style to win 3-2 in a famous Old Trafford night.
Over 20 years on from scoring twice in a famous 7-1 win over Roma, it was a very different night for Carrick, with tonight certainly putting him, and the fans, through the wringer.
It looked to be the night that would end Carrick’s tenure as United conceded twice in the opening 17 minutes. But a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a Cunha brace saw United win for the first time in 10 games and potentially prove to be the turning point in Carrick and the club’s future.
Michael Carrick could have saved his job(Image: Getty Images)
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Inside the ground before kick-off, United fans chanted their anti-Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe messages as the fans raised the atmosphere in the hope of rallying the players to find a performance on the same par as the first-half against Chelsea, where they missed golden chances to take what would have been a deserved half-time lead in the game they went on to lose 2-0.
Lisandro Martinez let Carrick and his club down again with his dreadful red card, where he picked up two obvious bookings within one minute and conceded a terribly given away penalty that buried United in the Stamford Bridge contest. The Argentinian has rightly come under criticism for his discipline and was dropped by Carrick.
But as the fans didn’t get their wish of a quick start, for United at least, as more defensive mistakes and vulnerability opened the door for Matias Soule to score his first Champions League goal with the freedom of Old Trafford.
Roma raced into a two-goal lead(Image: Oli SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
United looked to be missing Kobbie Mainoo’s composure in possession, but the England midfielder lost the ball cheaply in midfield. Diogo Dalot was bizarrely the furthest player forward and the void he left at left-back was exploited by one pass into Soule’s path.
It was a disastrous start that somehow got even worse when Ayden Heaven blocked a goalbound shot with his arm clearly outstretched. A penalty was awarded and former Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen slotted home to double their advantage in a horrified Old Trafford.
The United faithful’s ongoing battle to rid the club of the Glazer ownership continued as green and gold balloons were released by fans in the Stretford End before kick-off, and 20 minutes into the game, with their side 2-0 down, a break in play saw fans take the moment to throw tennis balls and other objects onto the pitch as the game waited to restart and the anti-ownership songs started up again.
Manchester United fans released green and gold balloons before kick off
Matheus Cunha had to remove thrown objects from the pitch
But it was unable to rally the players as United were lucky not to concede more with Senne Lammens called into action and a last-ditch clearance by Leny Yoro, who was recovering after being found out of position, denying a third goal.
However, every pass in their own third was loose and brought gasps from the home fans as Roma looked just moments away from scoring at any time.
One shot on target was all United managed in the opening 45 minutes, coming from an underhit, looping effort by Mainoo from 30 yards. Boos met the half-time whistle, but the stunned fans by the tunnel couldn’t even raise the energy to give the players any stick as they exited the pitch, as emotionless faces stared the players down the tunnel.
Unlike at Chelsea, United emerged from the break with more life as what could have been Carrick’s last half-time team talk rallied his players to a famous Old Trafford night. They had the chance to get back in the game when Cunha was felled inside the box, giving Bruno Fernandes the chance to bring United back into the game 10 minutes into the second half.
Matheus Cunha completed a comeback for the ages at Old Trafford (Image: Getty Images)
Cunha jumped into the United supporters to celebrate(Image: Getty Images)
However, Fernandes’ effort was saved by Roma’s debutant, third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez. But a change in fortune saw Fernandes allowed to retake the penalty due to an encroachment by a defender. The captain made no mistake the second time.
The goal fired United into life, just 60 minutes late, as Mbeumo ran through on goal seconds later but struck both posts one-on-one. Harry Maguire also proved a major handful from corners as the hosts began to resemble a team for the first time in the night.
United pressed on and got what they deserved for their second-half work as Cunha pounced on a shocking error from the Roma defence as the ball dropped into Cunha’s feet from six yards out, where he clinically finished.
The Brazilian then raised the roof off Old Trafford three minutes later as he fired the ball inside the near post to incredibly put United 3-2 up in the 86th minute to complete a sensational turnaround.
The outpouring of emotion saw Cunha take off his shirt and jump into the stands to celebrate in the middle of the fans.
But on a high after scoring the two vital goals, he dived in for a needless tackle in added time and received a second yellow card. Despite going down to 10, United held on for the win to spark emotional scenes of celebration and relief.
