Manchester United produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Roma 3-2 in their UEFA Champions League clash at Old Trafford after 90 minutes.
The Red Devils came from two goals down to secure all three points in a dramatic encounter, with Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha scoring twice late in the game.
Bruno Fernandes also found the net from the penalty spot as Michael Carrick’s men gave their supporters a night to remember after a run of poor results.
However, Cunha’s match-winning performance ended in disappointment after he received a second yellow card and was sent off shortly after scoring the winning goal.
The visitors started the match with confidence and needed just 11 minutes to take the lead. United lost possession in their own half, allowing the visitors to launch a quick attack.
Rodrigo Mora played a fine pass from left to right, finding Matias Soule in space. The Argentine forward took his chance well, beating goalkeeper Senne Lammens with a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Manchester United tried to respond, with Bruno Fernandes sending a dangerous cross across the six-yard box, but Roma defender Gianluca Mancini cleared the danger before Cunha could reach the ball.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 18th minute after Ayden Heaven was penalised for handball inside the penalty area. Donyell Malen stepped forward and calmly sent Lammens the wrong way to make it 2-0.
United struggled to find their rhythm, while their opponent continued to create problems. Malen had another opportunity in the 45th minute, but Lammens made a good save to prevent the Dutch forward from scoring again.
Fernandes also wasted a chance before the break when his left-footed effort from outside the penalty area went over the crossbar.
Roma went into half-time with a comfortable 2-0 lead, while the Manchester United supporters made their disappointment clear by booing their team players.
United returned for the second half with more energy, but suffered another setback when Carlos Baleba picked up a hamstring injury in the 47th minute. He had to leave the pitch, with Youri Tielemans coming on as his replacement.
Roma nearly scored a third goal when they played through the United defence, but Leny Yoro produced an important intervention to stop Rodrigo Mora from finding the net.
The game changed in the 55th minute when Cunha was brought down inside the penalty area by Mancini. The referee awarded Manchester United a penalty after checking the incident.
Fernandes took responsibility, but his first attempt was saved by Roma goalkeeper Devis Vasquez. However, the penalty was ordered to be retaken because Roma players had encroached into the area.
The United captain made no mistake with his second attempt in the 58th minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to reduce the score to 2-1.
The goal gave United fresh confidence, and they came close to equalising just one minute later. Cunha played a through ball to Bryan Mbeumo, whose effort beat the goalkeeper but struck both posts before going out.
Diogo Dalot also came close in the 65th minute, but his effort hit the side netting. Shortly afterwards, Amad Diallo had a shot blocked inside the penalty area.
Harry Maguire missed another opportunity from a corner, while Dalot later saw his header cleared off the goal line by Roma’s defence.
The host finally found their equaliser in the 83rd minute. The visitors failed to deal properly with a defensive clearance, and the ball fell kindly for Cunha, who finished from close range to make it 2-2.
Old Trafford erupted again three minutes later when the Brazilian scored his second goal of the night. Shea Lacey produced an excellent pass to find Cunha inside the penalty area.
The forward controlled the ball before firing a powerful shot past Vasquez at his near post. The goal put United ahead 3-2 for the first time in the match and completed an incredible comeback.
However, the celebrations did not last long for Cunha. He received a yellow card for celebrating his winning goal and was shown a second yellow card in the 90th minute after a reckless challenge on a Roma player.
The Brazilian was sent off, leaving Manchester United to defend their advantage with ten men. The away side pushed forward during the five minutes of added time, but United held firm.
Bryan Cristante delivered a cross towards the back post in the 94th minute, but substitute Antonio Castro headed wide. The final whistle confirmed a memorable 3-2 victory for Premier League team.
The victory comes as a huge relief for Michael Carrick, whose position had come under serious pressure following Manchester United’s poor run of results.
The Premier League side showed a different level of determination after the break and refused to give up despite trailing by two goals.
Cunha was the standout performer with his two goals, while Lacey made an important contribution with the assist for the winning goal.
Roma will be disappointed after allowing a two-goal advantage to disappear, especially after controlling much of the first half against their opponent.
Manchester United will now take confidence from this Champions League victory as they look to build on their second-half performance and hope to start producing results like last season.
