Man Utd 3-2 Roma: Cunha double seals comeback from 2-0 down

Manchester United beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on 3 November 2026 in matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The Serie A side were 2-0 up after 17 minutes, but Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the spot in the 58th minute and Matheus Cunha scored in the 83rd and 86th minutes to complete the turnaround. The Brazilian forward was then sent off for a second yellow card in the first minute of stoppage time. According to TRT Spor and The Analyst, the result ended United's nine-match winless run across all competitions.

How did Manchester United come back against Roma?

Roma controlled the first half. In the 11th minute Rodrigo Mora switched play to an unmarked Matías Soulé, who finished low past goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Six minutes later Harry Maguire gave the ball away to Soulé inside the box, Ayden Heaven's sliding block struck his outstretched arm, and Donyell Malen converted the penalty. The Analyst's data shows United managed just 0.24 expected goals before the break, while Soulé also hit the outside of the post right before half-time.

The second half was a different contest. Gianluca Mancini conceded a penalty and Devis Vásquez saved Fernandes' first attempt, but the kick was retaken because Roma players had encroached, and the Portuguese midfielder scored at the second time of asking. Bryan Mbeumo's effort rebounded off both posts and Bryan Cristante cleared a Diogo Dalot shot off the line. In the 83rd minute Leonardo Balerdi failed to deal with a Fernandes cross and Cunha equalised from close range; three minutes later he drove in the winner from the right side of the area. Roma did not register a shot on target after the interval.

1. 11' — Matías Soulé (Roma): 0-1
2. 17' — Donyell Malen, penalty (Roma): 0-2
3. 58' — Bruno Fernandes, retaken penalty (Manchester United): 1-2
4. 83' — Matheus Cunha (Manchester United): 2-2
5. 86' — Matheus Cunha (Manchester United): 3-2
6. 90+1' — Matheus Cunha sent off for a second yellow card

Matheus Cunha's night: two goals and a red card

Matheus Cunha was named player of the match against Roma with a ScoreLab rating of 8.66. The 27-year-old Brazil international had struggled for goals before this game: in the 2026/27 Premier League he had one goal and two assists from nine appearances and 616 minutes, his only league goal coming in the 1-1 draw at Fulham on 20 September 2026. According to The Analyst, the Roma double takes Cunha to four goals and two assists in all competitions, and those six direct goal involvements are the most of any United player this season. The only blemish was the late dismissal, a second booking for a mistimed challenge on Balerdi.

Why does the Roma win matter for Michael Carrick?

The victory gave under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick some breathing space. The Guardian and Mundo Deportivo both framed the game as pivotal for his future, with The Guardian noting continued supporter anger at the club's ownership. Carrick scored twice as a United player in the 7-1 rout of Roma in the 2007 quarter-final second leg. According to L'Équipe, United went into the game 17th in the Premier League and 21st in the Champions League league phase. Goal reports that the win lifted United to six points and 17th place in the league phase, with Roma 19th on four points. United's previous victory was a 4-0 win over Sabah on matchday one in September.

The comeback also made the record books. According to The Analyst, it was United's fourth Champions League win after trailing by two or more goals, level with Real Madrid for the most in the competition. The last time United won after going in two goals down at half-time was the 3-2 victory over Atalanta in October 2021, also against a side coached by Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma have now lost both of their Champions League games this season from two-goal leads, having been beaten 4-3 by Real Madrid on matchday two after leading 3-1; The Analyst says they are the first team to suffer that twice in a single campaign. The bad news for United concerned Carlos Baleba, with the Cameroon midfielder forced off early in the second half with a hamstring injury.

What's next for Manchester United and Roma?

Manchester United host Aston Villa in the Premier League on 8 November 2026, while Roma face Sassuolo in Serie A on 7 November 2026. Whether Cunha misses United's next Champions League game after his second-yellow dismissal will depend on UEFA's disciplinary process.