Manchester United Strike Late Against Roma
United recovered from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The Champions League fixture handed beleaguered manager Michael Carrick a reprieve as Matheus Cunha scored a late brace to end a nine-match winless run. United looked set for another defeat when Matias Soulรฉ and a Donyell Malen penalty put Roma ahead within 18 minutes, leaving Old Trafford swirling with a poisonous atmosphere that included chanting against the Glazer family.
Opta’s supercomputer gave United just a 5.4% chance of winning at half-time. But Bruno Fernandes sparked the turnaround in the 55th minute by converting a retaken penalty, before Cunha struck twice near the end of the match. Cunha received a second yellow card in stoppage time for a late foul on Leonardo Balerdi, leaving United to hold out with ten men.
First half exposes familiar defensive flaws
The first half exposed familiar defensive flaws for United. With Luke Shaw sidelined, Carrick deployed Diogo Dalot out of position at left-back, a tactical choice that left Ayden Heaven exposed as Roma repeatedly targeted the right flank. Roma registered seven shots, four on target, and an expected goals figure of 1.53 before the break, while United managed just 0.24 xG from five efforts without a shot inside the box.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s visiting side failed to register a single shot after half-time following tactical adjustments and a half-time substitution. United capitalized by generating 2.48 xG from 10 shots in the second half, with Cunha operating in an advanced position and exploiting defensive errors, including a missed clearance by Balerdi that allowed Cunha to bundle in the equalizer.
An incredible Manchester United comeback at Old Trafford ๐ด#UCL pic.twitter.com/F4ISlMiMlv
Victory lifts United to 17th place
The victory lifts United to 17th in the Champions League phase standings on six points, while Roma drop to 19th on four points. Elsewhere in the competition, Paris Saint-Germain recorded a 6-0 victory over Villarreal, setting a record for the fastest four goals scored in a match in Europe’s elite club competition through strikes from Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Senny Mayulu, and Fabian Ruiz within eight first-half minutes.
Before kick-offs across Europe, clubs observed a moment’s silence for 30-year-old Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel, who died from injuries sustained in a collision with FC Andorra’s goalkeeper. Bayern Munich secured a 2-0 away win against Atletico Madrid through goals from Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer, while Barcelona beat Aston Villa 3-0.
Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday
When is Manchester United’s next fixture?
Manchester United face Aston Villa in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday, following Villa’s 3-0 defeat against Barcelona.
Who scored Manchester United’s goals against Roma?
Bruno Fernandes scored from a retaken penalty in the 55th minute, and Matheus Cunha scored twice in the closing stages of the match.
Why was Matheus Cunha sent off?
Cunha received a second yellow card in stoppage time for a late sliding challenge on Roma defender Leonardo Balerdi.
Cunha goes ๐๐๐๐ ๐คฏ๐ The Brazilian's brace wins it at Old Trafford ๐ดโก๏ธ ๐บ Stream #UCL on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/8zir3GlCPK
More on Roma
โฑ๏ธ 90+2โ – FT. A brilliant performance! ๐โค๏ธ๐#VCFPSG 0๏ธโฃ-6๏ธโฃ I #UCL pic.twitter.com/6pswWcYZv5
Bayern Mรผnchen secure three points โ #UCL pic.twitter.com/snWS5n8MdA
Matheus Cunha's miracle ๐ Two vital goals in three minutes for the @ManUtd forward ๐ pic.twitter.com/SCvAOJKN4y
Manchester United 0-2 Roma โฑ๏ธ (18') Manchester United 3-2 Roma โฑ๏ธ (86') ๐ฌ๐ฟ#UCL pic.twitter.com/N25R8WNMir
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