Bruno Fernandes scored a retaken penalty and Matheus Cunha netted twice in the final seven minutes as Manchester United came back from 2-0 down to beat Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday night — Michael Carrick’s first win in 10 games.
The turnaround began when video assistant referee Carlos del Cerro Grande ordered Fernandes’s first spot-kick to be retaken after Roma’s Bryan Cristante touched the penalty area. Fernandes drove home the second attempt, and Cunha completed the comeback before being sent off soon after, leaving a nervy ending.
The result ended a 10-game winless run and was United’s first victory since September 10, when they beat Sabah 4-0.
Carrick’s Half-Time Message
Down 2-0 at the break, Carrick told his players he wanted them to be more positive and not get too disappointed, while Wayne Rooney and Nicky Butt, covering the match for Amazon Prime, condemned the first half as poor, with Rooney pleading with the players to show more passion and desire.
Carrick refused to be downcast even when Fernandes’s first penalty was saved. He said he did not chuckle, smile or feel happy about it. But it felt almost like ‘there’s another moment’.
Protests and past comebacks at Old Trafford
Protests against the ownership took place before kick-off and during an abysmal first half, with chants against the Glazer family, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and director of football Jason Wilcox continuing despite the victory.
United came from behind to beat Atalanta 3-2 at Old Trafford during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time, then lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool four days later; Solskjaer was sacked within a month. In October 2018, Jose Mourinho fought back from 2-0 down against Newcastle and lasted 13 more games.
Aston Villa next for Carrick's side
Carrick declined to predict how much time the win buys him. He said he does not have a crystal ball to know what happens next, and that the team moves on to the weekend. He said they have got a really important game against Aston Villa, which they need to prepare for.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox looked much happier at the final whistle than midway through the first half, and United now look able to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League, with a trip to Sporting CP next in Europe.
On what the comeback required, Carrick explained that when you show fight and run for each other, you become more confident in each other and start to believe that you can achieve something. He praised the retake, remarking that for Bruno to score on the second attempt – having that mentality and finish – he deserves a lot of credit.
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