Matheus Cunha celebrates against Roma
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United had to come from behind to secure a 3-2 win over Roma.
There was relief written on Michael Carrick’s face as Manchester United came from behind to secure their second win in the Champions League this season.
Roma opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Argentine sensation Soule, scoring his first-ever goal in the Champions League. The Italians doubled their lead eight minutes later from Donyell Malen’s penalty kick.
However, United earned a penalty before the hour mark for a foul on Matheus Cunha, with Bruno Fernandes stepping up to the spot not once but twice, making sure to tuck away his second attempt to pull one back for Carrick’s side. The pair linked up again in the 83rd minute as the Brazilian forward scored the equaliser with a smooth finish. He scored again two minutes later to secure a 3-2 win before being sent off for a second yellow card.
Lisandro Martinez dropped from the line-up
Carrick made two changes to his line-up to face Roma. One of them was perhaps the biggest headline before kick-off was Lisandro Martinez being dropped after his double booking at the weekend.
The Argentine is ruled out of Sunday’s game against Aston Villa through suspension, but he was available tonight, only to be replaced by Ayden Heaven in defence. This was a clear message from Carrick, who, as head coach, is willing to drop players for reckless, counter-productive behaviour on the pitch that cost the team.
Sadly, the change made little difference to United’s abysmal defending. The Reds were two goals behind 18 minutes in after being cut wide open at the back for the first, and Harry Maguire’s lazy clearance leading to a penalty kick when the resulting shot bounced off Ayden Heaven’s outstretched arm.
Martinez came on in the 74th minute and received a mixed reaction from the fans. There were cheers and boos for the World Cup winner.
Fan protests
A balloon protest took place in the Stretford End as the Champions League music played just before the game. According to The Athletic, 4,000 green and gold balloons were distributed to supporters; the same colours originally worn by Newton Heath and the centre of anti-Glazer protests in 2010, when a green and gold campaign emerged.
The protest was organised by a group called the Stretford Enders. They released the balloons while singing: “We want Glazers out.” However, these fans are equally frustrated by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with further chants demanding the club is sold.
In the 20th minute, fans in the Stretford End threw tennis balls onto the pitch before chanting again about their hatred for the ownership as well as football director Jason Wilcox. It was a moody night at Old Trafford, and the result did not help.
Carlos Baleba injury fears
It keeps getting worse for United. One setback after another.
In the first minute of the second half, new signing Carlos Baleba’s drive into the box ended with the Cameroon international pulling up with an injury. The 22-year-old limped around the perimeter of the pitch, grabbing hold of his hamstring, before being replaced by Youri Tielemans.
After missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, this injury could not have come at a worse time. Hopefully it’s not serious, but it now means Carrick could be without his only real defensive midfielder for another long period.
Bruno Fernandes ends barren spell to inspire win
Fernandes had gone eight games across all competitions without a goal or assist. That’s not typical form for the Portuguese Magnifico, but he got a chance to retake his penalty after missing the first.
The United captain sent Devis Vasquez the wrong way with his second effort, with his spot kick driven high into the left corner. He also assisted Cunha for the equaliser before the Brazilian completed his brace to win the match.
Fernandes inspired United to victory on a night they needed it.
Gasperini threw away a 2-0 lead with Atalanta against Man Utd
In 2021, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta threw away a two-goal lead at Old Trafford as United won the Champions League match 3-2. Marcus Rashford pulled one back, Maguire equalised and Cristiano Ronaldo headed the winner.
Tonight was another night against the Reds that Gasperini will want to forget about. That said, United still need to turn things around with four games left to play in the league phase of the competition. Those games are against Sporting CP, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and Villarreal. It’s a big ask for a team struggling to win matches.
The Reds now have six points on the board.