Schmeichel urges United players to weaponise Old Trafford after Roma comeback

Peter Schmeichel has revealed he held private conversations with Manchester United players in the wake of their Champions League comeback against AS Roma at Old Trafford, telling them to carry the experience of a great European night into every match that follows.

Michael Carrick’s side had been two goals down inside 18 minutes before staging a remarkable second-half turnaround. A Bruno Fernandes penalty and a Matheus Cunha brace in less than 30 minutes completed the reversal, with Cunha leaping into the crowd after his winner. The home supporters, who had booed the players off at half-time, were on their feet applauding at the final whistle.

“I’ve actually spoken to quite a few of the players, off camera of course, because we are quite close to the dressing room,” Schmeichel said. “And I’ve said to them, ‘now you have experienced what one of these great European nights at Old Trafford is like — take that feeling with you.’”

The former United goalkeeper also put the question directly to Carrick, asking how the manager intended to use the atmosphere as a positive going forward. Schmeichel believes Carrick’s own playing career at the club gives him a clear understanding of what the ground can generate.

“I think once they step onto the pitch the next time, they will think about that,” Schmeichel added. “They will think, ‘I made that extra run, I went a little bit out of what I normally do and what happened was I got these guys around me going.’ So I think this is going a long way to help the players understand how Old Trafford can be absolutely an enemy to the opposition. I have to say, I give credit to the crowd today — they helped the team win this game.”

All of United’s victories this season have come at home, lending extra weight to Schmeichel’s argument. The club’s next opportunity to build on Tuesday’s result comes against Aston Villa on Sunday, with Unai Emery’s side arriving at Old Trafford on the back of a 3-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

Villa have not won at Old Trafford since September 2021, and United have taken all six meetings between the two sides at the ground since then. A United win would close the gap on Villa to just two points in the Premier League table. Villa will be without Matty Cash, who is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season.