Manchester United overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League at Old Trafford, a result that offers some relief to under-fire manager Michael Carrick.
According to The Sun Malaysia, the win ended a run of nine matches without a victory in all competitions and revived United's European campaign after successive defeats to Atletico Madrid and Como.
The evening began badly for the hosts. Carrick had left out Lisandro Martinez following the Argentine's red card in Saturday's 2-0 loss at Chelsea, but the reshuffled back line struggled from the outset. Matias Soule took a pass from Rodrigo Mora and beat Senne Lammens in the 11th minute, and soon afterwards a Soule effort struck the arm of Ayden Heaven. Donyell Malen scored from the spot, his 12th goal of the season, to put Gian Piero Gasperini's side two up inside 20 minutes.
Play was briefly halted in the first half when supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch while chanting for the Glazer family, the club's American-based owners, to sell.
United suffered another setback early in the second half when Carlos Baleba, a £70 million signing, went off with what was described as a suspected serious hamstring injury.
The turning point came shortly before the hour. Matheus Cunha earned a penalty after light contact from Gianluca Mancini, and although Roma's third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez saved Bruno Fernandes's first attempt, encroachment by the visitors meant it was retaken. The United captain scored at the second go. Bryan Mbeumo then hit both posts and Bryan Cristante cleared off the line.
With seven minutes left, Leonardo Balerdi missed his clearance inside his own area and Cunha tapped in the equaliser. Three minutes later the Brazilian drove in the winner at Vasquez's near post. His celebration in the crowd earned a booking, and a reckless challenge in stoppage time brought a second yellow card, but United's ten men held on.
The defeat extends Roma's poor record at Old Trafford, where they have now lost on all five visits, including a 7-1 Champions League quarter-final defeat 19 years ago in which Carrick scored twice. It also follows their 4-3 loss to Real Madrid last month, when they led 3-1 with eight minutes remaining.
Whether the result marks a lasting recovery for Carrick or only a temporary reprieve remains unclear.