Fernandes denies Carrick rift after United end nine-game winless run

Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2, a result that ended a run of nine games without a win, with captain Bruno Fernandes insisting the dressing room was not playing for Michael Carrick's job.

Matheus Cunha scored twice either side of a Fernandes penalty as United overturned the deficit, according to Yahoo Sports, which reported that the victory provided what it called a much-needed boost after weeks of struggle.

Fernandes, who took the penalty that started the comeback, used his post-match interview to address speculation over his relationship with Carrick, telling Amazon Prime there had been "a lot of lies around many things that have happened at this club, between me and the manager, that we have cleared the air after. Nothing like that happened."

The United captain had been dropped to the bench for the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth last month, after he had questioned his team's approach in comments made following a 4-1 defeat to Como.

Asked about being left out against Bournemouth, Fernandes did not dispute the call. "The manager took the decision to put me on the bench because I wasn't performing and that's fair," he said, adding that if the move was also intended as a response to his earlier remarks, "it was right."

He said the episode had not shaken his faith in the dugout or the squad. "It doesn't change the belief I have in the manager and the staff and every player in this club. It doesn't change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me."

According to Sky Sports Football, Fernandes made clear that the players did not regard Saturday's win as an exercise in saving Carrick's position, even as he offered public backing for the head coach.

Fernandes also addressed the mood among supporters during United's barren run, telling Amazon Prime: "It's been a long time that we didn't get the win and it's been frustrating for them as much as it has been for us too."

He said the squad had chosen to interpret that frustration constructively rather than resent it, explaining that fans wanting to win games was normal and that supporters of the club were used to seeing it winning trophies at the top of the game.

The captain acknowledged the scale of the problem facing the squad, describing a period in which United had shown flashes of quality without the consistency to see matches through. "We've done some good bits, but not had the consistency to do it through a full game to get more results and it's been tough," he said.

He pointed to belief in the Roma comeback as the difference, saying the players sensed an opportunity even while behind. "We knew after half-time we still had the fans with us, we felt at any moment that we could change it with a goal and fortunately we did it today," he said.

Fernandes said he hoped the result would mark a turning point after a difficult run, stating: "Hopefully this win today is the start of something good for us."

United will now look to build on the victory as they attempt to string together results following the nine-match winless sequence that had intensified scrutiny on Carrick's position.