Cunha leads United past Roma
A late double and a red card defined a dramatic Champions League victory that offers manager Michael Carrick a temporary reprieve.
By Talia Bennett ·
Matheus Cunha scored two goals in the final ten minutes to guide Manchester United to a 3-2 victory over AS Roma on Tuesday. The win marked the club's first league or European triumph since September 10. Cunha was sent off late in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Leonardo Balerdi.
The result provides immediate relief for manager Michael Carrick, who had been under severe pressure following a winless run in all competitions. United trailed 2-0 after just 17 minutes. At that point, the team had lost its previous five matches in the current stretch of games.
Bruno Fernandes ignited the comeback in the second half. He converted a retaken penalty after the initial attempt was disallowed for encroachment. The goal reduced the deficit to 2-1. Fernandes then provided the assist for Cunha's equalizer in the 83rd minute.
Carrick made a tactical change at halftime that shifted the momentum. He substituted midfielder Carlos Baleba due to a hamstring injury. Youri Tielemans entered the match in Baleba's place. Baleba had played well before the break and left the pitch in tears after the injury occurred just 37 seconds into the second half.
The Brazilian forward Cunha was the central figure in the turnaround. He won the penalty that started the comeback sequence. He also celebrated his second goal by jumping into the crowd, which resulted in a yellow card. That booking set up his subsequent dismissal. A 19-year-old winger named Shea Lacey, who came on in the 75th minute, delivered the pass for Cunha's winning goal.
The victory complicates the club's decision regarding Carrick's future. He will remain in charge for the upcoming home match against Aston Villa on Sunday. The board had hoped he would survive a nine-game drought without a win. The team now faces a difficult schedule that includes an away trip to Liverpool.
Supporters continued their protests against the club's ownership group during the match. Fans in the Stretford End released hundreds of green and gold balloons before kickoff. They also threw tennis balls onto the pitch. The demonstrations targeted the Glazer family, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Jason Wilcox. This action follows similar chants during a recent loss to Bournemouth.
