United punish Roma as their grip on the game slips

Roma had been far more effective at finding the space behind United's advancing left side. Rodrigo Mora switched play to Matías Soulé, who finished the opening goal in the 11th minute. Six minutes later, Harry Maguire's misplaced clearance returned the ball to Soulé, whose shot struck Ayden Heaven's arm. Donyell Malen converted the penalty, leaving United two goals down and with little control over the game.

The second half brought a different United. Carlos Baleba's hamstring injury forced an early change, but the home side continued to push forward. Cunha won a penalty after a challenge from Gianluca Mancini, and Fernandes scored at the second attempt in the 58th minute after Devis Vásquez had saved his first kick and Roma were penalised for encroachment. United kept the pressure on, while Roma struggled to find a way out.

The equaliser arrived in the 83rd minute when Leonardo Balerdi failed to clear the ball and Cunha finished from close range. Three minutes later, Kobbie Mainoo drove United forward before Shea Lacey supplied the pass for Cunha to score again, beating Vásquez at his near post. Roma had spent the first half exposing United's defensive weaknesses; now they were unable to deal with the pressure at the other end.

Cunha's night ended with a second yellow card in stoppage time following a late challenge on Balerdi, leaving United to protect their lead with ten men. They held on to end a nine-game winless run, giving Michael Carrick a much-needed victory. The result changes the mood around United, but not the defensive problems that made the comeback necessary in the first place.