Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4
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Michael Carrick has thanked Shea Lacey for his incredible impact that secured Manchester United’s comeback win over Roma.
At full-time against Roma, Michael Carrick was pictured embracing Shea Lacey. The youngster provided the assist for Matheus Cunha‘s dramatic winner.
Cunha’s goal secured the 3-2 win, with United 2-0 down at half-time. When Shea Lacey came on, the score was 2-1, after a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
Carrick made the change in the 75th minute with Lacey coming on for Amad – but it was not the only tactical change he made.
The United boss explained how he moved Bryan Mbeumo to the left wing, and put Cunha through the middle – and it paid off.
“I’m delighted for Shea, we love him to bits. He’s so talented and desperate to do well.
“We moved Matheus inside in the second half and put Bryan [Mbeumo] out wide on the left, just to try to give ourselves a better balance.”
Carrick added that after Cunha was sent off, the tactical plan required a little adjustment, and thanked Lacey for his defensive work.
“The boys respect Shea a lot. He’s desperate to do well and he was even defending at right-back towards the end, which I was joking with him about after the game.
“It just shows what he’s prepared to do, and to see young players take opportunities like that, there aren’t many better things, I must say.”
Carrick delighted, and wants to see more
Michael Carrick is a relieved man to see United get a win, and he knew how important it was. This was United’s first victory since September, and he knows what it means for the fans.
Carrick explained: “It’s a win for us. It’s a win for us as a football club, to see the supporters going home happy is what we live for, to give them performances and nights like this, so they can come back again energised, recharged and looking forward to the game at the weekend.”
United face Aston Villa up next in the Premier League, and while this result does not guarantee anything, it does give the players a vital confidence boost.
He said: “I think we’ve shown a lot of character as a group to weather what we’ve had to.You find out a lot about each other. The players will find out things about me and I certainly do about them, their character, what it means to them and what they’re prepared to put in.
“Tonight was right at that moment. It depends what happens next. We’ve got to make the most of it and move forward, but I’m feeling a lot better about things tonight.”