Manchester United beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday to hand manager Michael Carrick a reprieve. United fought back from two goals down after a poor start. Matheus Cunha saved the day with a late brace, turning the atmosphere at Old Trafford from poisonous to one of joy.
Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday to hand beleaguered manager Michael Carrick a reprieve.
Looking set for another abject defeat when two behind within 18 minutes through a smart Mathias Soule finish and Donyell Malen's penalty, United staged a thrilling comeback in the second half to turn a poisonous atmosphere at Old Trafford to one of joy.
Matheus Cunha, who was sent off in stoppage time, saved the day for United with a brace in three minutes with the final whistle nearing, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
Roma, which also threw away a commanding lead against Real Madrid in its only other defeat of the season, failed to deal a knockout blow and crumbled once Bruno Fernandes pulled United back into the game in the 58th minute at the second time of asking from the penalty spot.
The Portuguese thumped home past Roma's third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez, who saved the first attempt but was let down by his teammates encroaching in the penalty area.
And that set up Cunha to hit Roma with a one-two that decided a thrilling encounter and gave Carrick some breathing room with the international break coming up after the weekend.
Manchester United vs Roma player ratings
Manchester United: Senne Lammens (7.1), Leny Yoro (6.8), Harry Maguire (6.5), Ayden Heaven (6.4), Diogo Dalot (7.0), Carlos Baleba (6.6), Kobbie Mainoo (7.2), Amad Diallo (6.9), Bruno Fernandes (8.5), Matheus Cunha (8.7), Bryan Mbeumo (6.7)
Substitutes: Youri Tielemans (7.3), Lisandro Martínez (6.8), Shea Lacey (7.4), Matthijs de Ligt (6.5), Mason Mount (6.6)
Roma: Devis Vásquez (6.4), Gianluca Mancini (6.5), Leonardo Balerdi (6.3), Mario Hermoso (6.4), Devyne Rensch (6.2), Bryan Cristante (6.6), Marten de Roon (6.7), Wesley (6.5), Matias Soulé (7.6), Rodrigo Mora (6.8), Donyell Malen (7.8)
Substitutes: Emanuele Lulli (6.1), Niccolò Pisilli (6.6), Daniele Ghilardi (6.3), Evan N'Dicka (6.4), Santiago Castro (6.5)