Manchester United (and Michael Carrick) needed a win more than anything in the world on Tuesday, and they got it despite their own best efforts to the contrary as they stormed back from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League.
MORE — Michael Carrick reacts to comeback win
Carrick has been under heavy pressure in recent weeks, with each passing result pushing him closer to the brink. The Red Devils were nine straight without a win in any competition coming into the game. They were 2-0 down at halftime and Carrick was perhaps 45 minutes from being fired.
- Roma led 2-0 at halftime and Man United looked on their last legs under manager Michael Carrick, but the Red Devils scored three goals in the second half, capped off by a Matheus Cunha brace.
- Manchester United’s first win in 54 days (in any competition), since they beat Azerbaijani side Sabah 4-0 on Sept. 10.
- Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot (on the re-take) to make it 2-1 in the 58th minute, his first goal in nine games (also vs Sabah).
- Matias Soule fired home the opener after United’s defense failed to mark him on a simple cross-field pass in the 11th minute, and Donyell Malen scored from the spot after Ayden Heaven blocked Soule’s shot with his arm a few minutes later.
It was Soule who again got free on the right side, only this time Ayden Heaven was in position to attempt to block the shot. Problem is: He did it with an outstretched arm. Donyell Malen lashed the penalty past Senne Lammens to make it 2-0.
It has only taken Roma 17 minutes to go 2-0 up vs. Manchester United at Old Trafford 👀
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 3, 2026
Stream the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/f8un0fM6Ko
Bruno Fernandes was denied by Devis Vasquez on his first attempt as multiple Roma players encroached on the penalty area before he struck the ball, and Bruno didn’t waste his second chance. He smashed it past Vasquez and suddenly Old Trafford is alight again.
Lifeline for Manchester United 🔴
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 3, 2026
Bruno Fernandes makes no mistake with the retaken penalty 🎯
Stream the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/tA6VyvKSzx
They looked beyond beaten at halftime, now they’re 3-2 up with five minutes to go. This is a baffling turnaround by the Red Devils.
Roma have played their part by leaving themselves too open defensively, but credit to the Man United players for making them pay.
WHAT A COMEBACK FROM MANCHESTER UNITED 🤯
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 3, 2026
It's Matheus Cunha at the double and Old Trafford is rocking 🔴
Stream the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/8N2rsHQ1q3
Two goals, two yellow cards, and that’s Matheus Cunha’s night complete. The first one was for taking his shirt off after scoring his second goal, and the second was for a rash challenge at the start of the stoppage time.
Even in the good times, it’s always something for Man United.
Two goals ⚽️⚽️
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 3, 2026
Two yellow cards 🟨🟨
It has been quite the game for Matheus Cunha 🟥
Stream the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/1O66hPoxRl
It’s a gift, and Matheus Cunha was happy to receive it when Leonardo Balerdi whiffed with his attempt to boot Bruno Fernandes’ curling cross clear. The ball bounced to Cunha all by himself at the top of the six and he couldn’t miss from there.
Grandstand finish incoming.
Video to come…
Where in the world has this been from Manchester United? They scored, they went and took the ball back, and they came within an inch or two of doing it again.
Bryan Mbeumo could NOT have come any closer for Manchester United 😭
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 3, 2026
His shot hits both posts before being cleared 🤏
Stream the #UCL on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/jJziuN6aUP
Possession: 54-46
Shots: 5-7
On target: 1-3
xG: 0.24-1.53
Passes: 235-200
The first few minutes were decent from Manchester United, but it didn’t take long for Roma start scoring and do so with such ease.
At this point, there isn’t an argument to be made that the players are still playing hard for Michael Carrick. They appeared to be unprepared at the start of most games because they can’t stop conceding early goals, and as soon as their heads drop, the effort levels drops, and there’s no way back. It’s the same cycle every single game.
Well, that was rather easy for Roma. After surviving a few minutes of pressure around their box, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is ahead and it was way too easy for 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora to be beat the entirety of Man United’s defense with one long diagonal pass to Matias Soule.
Video to come…
The crowd is up for this one and backing the team with a rousing atmosphere from kickoff.
Man United have started well in the first few minutes, they’re flying after 50-50 balls and forcing Roma to drop deeper and deeper. The question is, can they keep from over-committing and getting caught on the counter?
Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel tragically passed away after an on-field collision during their match on Monday.
Vasquez - Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso - Rensch, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley - Soule, Mora, Malen
Our Starting XI for #ManUtdRoma 🐺#ASRoma #UCL pic.twitter.com/dA2lgLmebT
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) November 3, 2026
Lammens - Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot - Baleba, Mainoo, Fernandes - Amad, Cunha, Mbeumo
Your United team for tonight's #UCL clash 👊 pic.twitter.com/TD9F6RjeAB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2026
If the Manchester United hierarchy does look to make a change, they will likely do so during the upcoming international break which begins after Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa. So, Carrick has tonight and Sunday to sway them.
And then who? Antonio Conte? Eddie Howe? Julian Nagelsmann? I will say this: The German is certainly better suited to the club game than international management. He would bring structure and ideas to a team that desperately needs them, but would he require a bit of patience and time from a club that wants a quick fix?
OUT: Manu Kone (thigh), Lorenzo Pellegrini (thigh), Mile Svilar (finger)
QUESTIONABLE: Paulo Dybala (calf)
OUT: Benjamin Sesko (shin), Luke Shaw (undisclosed), Manuel Ugarte (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: Marcus Rashford (hip), Patrick Dorgu (thigh)
Ahead of matchday 4, here’s how Man United and Roma are getting on in the Champions League…
15. Roma — 4 points, +3 GD
21. Manchester United — 3 points, -1 GD
Man United results
Man United 4-0 Sabah
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Man United
Como 4-1 Man United
Roma results
Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma
Roma 3-4 Real Madrid
Roma 4-0 Slovan Bratislava
All-time record
Man United wins: 5
Roma wins: 2
Draws: 1
Recent results
Roma 3-2 Man United (2021)
Man United 6-2 Roma (2021)
Man United 1-0 Roma (2008)
Roma 0-2 Man United (2008)
Roma 1-1 Man United (2007)
Man United 1-0 Roma (2007)
Man United 7-1 Roma (2007)
Roma 2-1 Man United (2007)
PST’s predictions
Joe Prince-Wright: 2-2 draw
Nicholas Mendola: 1-1 draw
Andy Edwards: Roma wins, 3-2
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (November 3)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
