Manchester United 3-2 AS Roma: Report, result and goals as Cunha rescues Red Devils before being sent off in rare win

Matheus Cunha scored twice in the final 10 minutes before being sent off as Manchester United produced a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s side looked destined for another damaging defeat after Matias Soule and Donyell Malen gave the Italian visitors a commanding first-half lead.

However, Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after initially seeing his effort saved, before Cunha struck twice in three minutes to turn the contest around.

The Brazilian’s night then took another extraordinary twist when he was dismissed for a second yellow card in stoppage time, leaving United to survive a nervous finale with 10 men.

Roma punish dreadful United start

United entered the contest desperate for a response following their 2-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, but their problems were immediately apparent against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

The hosts struggled to retain possession and were repeatedly exposed by Roma’s movement in the attacking third.

Their defensive frailties were punished in the 11th minute when Kobbie Mainoo surrendered possession, allowing Roma to break forward.

Rodrigo Mora spotted Soule completely unmarked on the far side and picked him out with an excellent diagonal pass.

The Argentine had time to compose himself before calmly finishing past Senne Lammens to give the visitors the lead.

United barely had time to recover before Roma doubled their advantage six minutes later.

Soule was again afforded far too much space and worked his way into the penalty area before seeing his shot blocked by Ayden Heaven’s arm.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano pointed to the penalty spot, and Malen stepped up to send Lammens the wrong way.

The second goal prompted further frustration from the Old Trafford crowd, with United looking increasingly vulnerable whenever Roma attacked.

Carrick’s side attempted to respond, but their attacking play lacked quality and conviction.

Fernandes fired over following a pass from Carlos Baleba, while a free-kick from the United captain struck the wall.

United managed just one shot on target before the interval and were greeted by loud boos as they headed down the tunnel.

Fernandes sparks comeback before Cunha’s extraordinary finale

United returned for the second half needing a significant improvement, although their problems deepened almost immediately when Baleba suffered a hamstring injury.

The midfielder was eventually replaced by Youri Tielemans in the 51st minute.

However, the hosts were handed a route back into the contest four minutes later when Cunha went down under a challenge from Gianluca Mancini inside the penalty area.

Gil Manzano awarded a penalty, giving Fernandes the opportunity to halve the deficit.

The United captain initially saw his tame effort saved by Roma goalkeeper Devis Vasquez, but the referee ordered a retake because of encroachment by the visitors.

Fernandes made no mistake with his second attempt, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 in the 58th minute.

The goal transformed the atmosphere inside Old Trafford, and United almost equalised immediately.

Bryan Mbeumo raced onto a through ball and guided his finish beyond Vasquez, only to watch in disbelief as the ball struck both posts before bouncing away from goal.

Diogo Dalot then fired into the side-netting, while Roma captain Bryan Cristante produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the United defender’s header following a corner.

The visitors appeared to be holding on as the contest entered its closing stages, but their resistance finally broke in the 83rd minute.

Fernandes delivered a cross into the penalty area, and Leonardo Balerdi completely missed his attempted clearance.

The ball fell kindly to Cunha, who made no mistake from close range to bring United level.

Old Trafford erupted, but there was still another twist to come.

Just three minutes later, Lacey produced some excellent footwork on the right before cutting inside and threading a pass through to Cunha.

Despite finding himself at a tight angle, the Brazilian struck a powerful right-footed effort that flew past Vasquez via the inside of the near post.

United had somehow turned a two-goal deficit into a 3-2 lead, with Cunha completing an extraordinary turnaround.

However, the forward’s celebrations would prove costly.

Cunha removed his shirt after scoring the winner and was shown a yellow card, before making a late sliding challenge on Balerdi in the first minute of stoppage time.

Gil Manzano immediately produced a second yellow card, sending the United goalscorer off and leaving his team-mates to defend their lead with 10 men.

The UEFA Champions League Table

Roma pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but United survived the final moments to complete a dramatic comeback.

Upcoming fixtures for Manchester United and AS Roma

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com