Man Utd stun Roma with comeback win as Carrick relieved
Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2, easing pressure on manager Michael Carrick and joining the ranks of great Champions League comebacks.
Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, easing the pressure on manager Michael Carrick. United had trailed 2-0 after just 17 minutes at Old Trafford, with Roma, unbeaten in their opening 10 Serie A games, threatening to deepen the crisis for a side that had won only twice all season and was on a nine-game winless run.
Captain Bruno Fernandes began the fightback from the penalty spot before Matheus Cunha struck twice in three minutes to complete the turnaround. The victory, which Carrick described as a much-needed boost, transformed what could have been another damaging defeat into an unforgettable night for the Old Trafford faithful. Supporters celebrated the character and class shown in the second half, qualities that had been missing during a troubled campaign.
United's comeback evoked memories of some of the Champions League's most dramatic turnarounds. In 2019, Tottenham recovered from a 3-0 aggregate deficit at Ajax, with Lucas Moura scoring a second-half hat-trick, including the winner in the 95th minute, to send Spurs through on away goals. A day earlier, Liverpool had overturned a 3-0 first-leg loss to Barcelona, scoring three times in 166 seconds after half-time before Trent Alexander-Arnold's quick corner allowed Divock Origi to seal a 4-0 win.
Roma themselves featured in a famous comeback in 2018, overturning a 4-1 first-leg defeat to Barcelona with a 3-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico, progressing on away goals thanks to Kostas Manolas's late header. The following year, Barcelona completed 'La Remontada' against Paris St-Germain, recovering from a 4-0 first-leg loss with a 6-1 victory at the Nou Camp, Sergi Roberto scoring the decisive goal in the final seconds. Deportivo La Coruna's 4-0 win over AC Milan in 2004, overturning a 4-1 first-leg deficit, also stands among the great fightbacks.
While United's victory does not yet rival those historic feats, it offers Carrick temporary respite and gives supporters hope that their season may yet turn. The comeback was met with relief and cautious optimism among fans, who acknowledged the team's resilience but remain aware of the challenges ahead.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
