UEFA clear Cunha of further ban after United hero returns to pitch following red card

UEFA will take no further action against Matheus Cunha after the Manchester United forward returned to the Old Trafford pitch following his red card in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Roma, confirming his suspension will stay at one game.

Cunha had turned the match on its head, scoring in the 83rd and 86th minutes to complete a stunning comeback from 2-0 down under head coach Michael Carrick. The 27-year-old was booked for his celebrations after the winning goal and then collected a second yellow card for a foul in injury time, leaving him to watch the closing moments from an advertising hoarding at the side of the pitch.

At full-time, Cunha came back onto the field to applaud supporters in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand and embrace teammates. Carrick was seen waving him away before Cunha was escorted down the tunnel after spending several seconds acknowledging the Stretford End.

A UEFA spokesperson confirmed the governing body would not be extending the ban. “The UEFA official reports did not mention anything about this incident,” the spokesperson said. “Therefore the automatic one-match ban following two yellow cards should not be extended for this reason. We are not investigating further this matter.”

The ruling means Cunha will miss United’s upcoming Champions League trip to Sporting later this month, but faces no additional disciplinary consequences for his post-match appearance on the pitch.

Carrick said he was “disappointed” by the dismissal but acknowledged the emotion behind it, and was full of praise for the Brazilian’s contribution to the comeback. “Matheus can do them things, he’s got them moments,” Carrick said. “We put him inside, we swapped him with Bran at half-time to try and get him in the middle of the pitch, try and give us a little bit of different shape, and he found himself in good positions.”

“Disappointed with how it finished, but again just shows how much he cares and willing to do, and when he’s in that frame of mind, he’s in that mood and he plays like that, that’s what we want from him.”