Cunha scores twice to seal United's comeback over Roma, then sees red in Champions League thriller

Matheus Cunha scored twice in three second-half minutes to complete Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback win over Roma in the Champions League at Old Trafford, before being dismissed for two quick yellow cards that left his side to hold on with ten men.

Cunha’s first goal drew United level before his second, set up by academy player Shea Lacey, put the hosts ahead. The forward was then booked for removing his shirt in celebration and picked up a second yellow for a mistimed sliding tackle in added time — but United survived his absence to end a difficult winless run.

Speaking after the match, Cunha was candid about the emotional weight of the result. “What a magical day,” he said. “Of course, apart from the red card. Everything you can bring to this club — I always dreamed of being part of something unbelievable, coming here to this club, and having this comeback in this very hard moment of the season.”

The Brazilian forward acknowledged the pressure that comes with wearing the United shirt, particularly during a difficult spell. “Being part of Manchester United is very hard because in these kinds of moments in the season, we know we always have these kinds of comparisons with the past. We need to have these kinds of games like today, and then we’ll get through the hard moment.”

Cunha was particularly effusive about Lacey’s contribution to the winning goal, describing the pass that set him up as exceptional. “It was an unbelievable pass from Shea,” he said. “It is beautiful when an academy player comes in, plays, and makes a great impact.”

He also walked through his thought process in the moment of the finish. “The moment I saw Shea with the ball, the first thing that came to mind was ‘go in the box, control well with the left and shoot with the right’. When I saw the ball go in, to be honest, I didn’t believe we did the comeback. When you’re in the game, I only try to think of the next section — control well and have a good shot were the only things that crossed my mind.”

The win offers United a significant lift at a testing point in their season, though Cunha will serve a suspension after his dismissal.