Carrick sends off Cunha after Roma comeback, Lacey staking claim

Manchester United recovered from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday, a night that brought a crucial victory, a red card for match-winner Matheus Cunha and a tense exchange between the Brazilian and manager Michael Carrick.

United were behind within 17 minutes, Matias Soule scoring before Donyell Malen converted a penalty, according to Yahoo Sports. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the spot to start the fightback, and Cunha then scored twice from close range to complete the turnaround.

Metro Football reported the win was United's first since 10 September, while Yahoo Sports described it as the end of a nine-game run without a victory.

Cunha's night did not end cleanly. He was booked for removing his shirt and jumping into the crowd after his second goal, then picked up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Leonardo Balerdi, leaving United to see out the closing stages with ten men.

At the final whistle, Carrick was seen directing his match-winner towards the tunnel in what appeared to be a heated moment amid United's celebrations. Yahoo Sports reported the intervention was intended to protect Cunha rather than reprimand him, with football regulations preventing a sent-off player from returning to the pitch once the game has finished.

Carrick played down any suggestion of a rift in his post-match press conference. "Disappointed with how it finished but, again, it just shows how much he cares and he's willing to do," he said of Cunha's red card.

"When he's in that frame of mind and he's in that mood, that's why we want him here," Carrick added, making clear he saw the forward's commitment as more significant than the indiscipline.

Cunha later offered his own explanation to CBS Sports Golazo, attributing the chaotic finish to being "too Brazilian" in the heat of the celebration.

The other story of the night belonged to teenager Shea Lacey, introduced after 75 minutes on the right and immediately influential, setting up Cunha's winning goal with a pass Metro Football described as the product of an outstanding first touch.

Lacey had already opened his account for the club in September, scoring in the Carabao Cup win over Brighton, and his impact from the bench added weight to renewed scrutiny of Amad Diallo's form.

Amad, replaced during the second half, had squandered clear openings as United lost to Chelsea at the weekend, and Metro Football noted he has not scored for the club since last December, with only two assists to his name in all competitions since then.

Wayne Rooney used his analysis of the Roma win to call for Carrick to start Lacey ahead of Amad. "That's a great touch inside and a wonderful pass, and the finish is incredible," the former United captain said of the assist for Cunha's goal.

Rooney argued the teenager's composure on the ball outweighed the senior winger's recent output, framing end product as the gap separating Amad from the next level of his career.

Carrick now has a selection decision to make on the right flank, with Lacey's cameo adding pressure on Amad ahead of United's next fixtures as the club looks to build on a result that ended a troubled run of form.