Manchester United stunned Roma with a comeback win to ease the pressure on Michael Carrick
Manchester United looked set for another miserable night at Old Trafford but instead produced a memorable comeback to beat Roma 3-2 after going two goals down. Their first win in 10 games could hardly have come at a better time for Michael Carrick, whose position has come under increasing scrutiny during the club’s mismanagement.
Matias Soule and Donyell Malen put Roma 2-0 up inside 17 minutes, leaving United with a mountain to climb. The home side were booed at half-time and Carrick faced more vexing questions after a run that didn’t exactly please.
The answer, when it came, was emphatic. Bruno Fernandes converted a second penalty to give United a way back into the match before Matheus Cunha scored twice in the closing stages to turn the game on its head.
Fernandes was keen to make it clear that despite the noise surrounding the club and its manager, his faith in Carrick has not wavered. The United captain also admitted the players shared the frustration of fans who had become used to seeing the club compete for trophies.
“The manager is the one who makes the decisions. I have to accept them, I have to go forward with it. It doesn’t change the faith I have in the manager, in the staff and every player that is in this club,” Fernandes told Amazon Prime.
The midfielder also hoped the result would give United something to build on after a difficult spell.
“We are all frustrated with the current situation and we all want to get out of it. Hopefully today’s win will be the start of something good for us,” he said.
THE FANS TURN THE GLASSES ON AGAIN
The frustration was not limited to the players. United supporters showed their anger at Glazer’s ownership by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch during the first half as part of a protest against the club’s American owners.
Manchester United fans release yellow and green balloons into the air in protest against the club’s ownership. The fans have had enough The Away Fans (@theawayfans) November 3, 2026
The demonstration carried a familiar message. The Glazers took control of Manchester United in 2005 and have faced ongoing opposition from a section of the fan base ever since. The protest also came against the backdrop of growing dissatisfaction with the club’s performance and the direction it is heading.
CUNHA COMPLETES THE TURNOVER
United’s comeback gained momentum after Cunha won a penalty which Fernandes converted. Bryan Mbeumo then hit both posts with one effort as the home side piled on the pressure before a poor clearance from Leonardo Balerdi allowed Cunha to equalise.
The Brazilian completed the turnaround with a superb near-post finish from Shea Lacey’s cross to send Old Trafford into celebration. However, his night ended on a sour note as he was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Balerdi.
United had to finish the closing stages with 10 men but held on for their first win in 54 days. Carrick, who appeared to be running out of time at half-time, left the pitch to applause rather than the jeers his team had received earlier in the evening.
The win gives Carrick some breathing room, but United have little time to dwell on it. Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on November 8 before traveling to Liverpool on November 22 and have a Champions League clash with Sporting CP three days later. These games will offer much clearer information on whether a comeback against Roma can be the turning point that Carrick and United desperately need.
– The end