Cunha scores twice in remarkable Man Utd comeback to beat Roma 3-2
Manchester United recovered from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Monday. Matheus Cunha scored twice, the second an 86th-minute winner, before a late red card, handing Michael Carrick a stay of execution.
Carrick had called it “a whole new Man United” before kick-off, then dropped Lisandro Martinez after the Chelsea defeat and gave Kobbie Mainoo a first start in almost a month.
Roma struck in the 11th minute. Mainoo was dispossessed, Rodrigo Mora switched the ball across, and Matias Soule found the bottom corner with Diogo Dalot caught high up the pitch. Seven minutes later Ayden Heaven blocked a shot with his arm, and Donyell Malen converted the penalty.
Supporters protested in the 21st minute against the Glazers, filling the Stretford End with green and gold balloons and throwing tennis balls and a pie onto the pitch. Chants also targeted Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, and the half-time whistle brought boos that faded into apathy.
United improved after the break, but Carlos Baleba pulled up with a hamstring problem just after carving through Roma’s defence, and Youri Tielemans replaced him. Dalot and Bryan Mbeumo had few answers, and the visitors looked comfortable until the game turned on a decision in the 55th minute.
Cunha was bundled over by Mancini, and after a VAR check Bruno Fernandes saw his penalty saved by Vasquez. Roma had encroached, so it was retaken, and Fernandes scored in the 58th minute. Mbeumo then beat the keeper but hit both posts, and Old Trafford began to rock.
Dalot had a header cleared off the line, and Harry Maguire headed off target from a corner. Carrick sent on Martinez and academy graduate Lacey in the 75th minute, the former to a mixed reception, the latter to cheers, with Roma’s Castro replacing Malen soon afterwards.
The equaliser came in the 83rd minute. Leonardo Balerdi made a dreadful clearance, and Cunha pounced to score from close range. Roma were suddenly rattled, and United sensed a famous result as the crowd lifted them for a late push.
Cunha struck again in the 86th minute. A stunning pass from Lacey found him inside the box, and after one touch he hammered the ball past Vasquez at the near post, then celebrated shirtless in front of the delighted fans. De Ligt and Mount came on to protect the lead.
Cunha’s night ended in stoppage time. Already booked for celebrating by diving into the crowd, he was shown a second yellow for a late challenge, leaving United to see out the closing minutes with ten men. Fans chanted for Carrick as the clock ran down.
The win was United’s first in 10 games, since beating Sabah on September 10, and avoided their worst run since 1984-85. They remain 17th in the league, and face Aston Villa on Sunday with Carrick safe for at least one more game.