Manchester United comeback against Roma has given Michael Carrick a much-needed boost, with Bruno Fernandes insisting the victory was not about saving the manager’s job but restoring confidence at Old Trafford.
United recovered from two goals down to defeat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford, ending a nine-game winless run and avoiding a tenth consecutive match without victory for the first time in more than four decades.
The result came after a difficult period for Carrick, whose position had come under scrutiny following the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. The pressure intensified when Fernandes was left out of the starting line-up.
Roma stunned the home supporters by establishing a 2-0 advantage inside the opening 18 minutes. Frustrated fans responded with boos and tennis balls thrown onto the pitch.
However, United gradually found their way back into the contest. Fernandes converted a penalty before Matheus Cunha scored twice late in the game to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Fernandes explains his support for Carrick
Speaking after the match, Fernandes dismissed suggestions that the players had rescued Carrick from losing his position.
“We don’t need to save anyone’s job,” the United captain said.
He added: “We’ve been working so hard to get out of this situation altogether. It’s been tough. There’s been a lot of speculation in the media, a lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club. Between me and the manager, that we had to clear the air. Nothing like that happened.”
Fernandes had recently questioned aspects of United’s tactics following the 4-1 defeat to Como. His subsequent omission from the starting team prompted speculation about a disagreement with Carrick.
The midfielder, however, explained that he understood the manager’s decision and accepted the reasons behind his absence.
“The manager took a decision of putting myself on the bench because I wasn’t performing at that level. Everyone felt that it was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right,” he said.
Fernandes maintained that being dropped had not affected his confidence in the manager or his commitment to the club.
“The manager is the one who makes the decisions. I have to accept them, I have to go forward with that. It doesn’t change the belief I have in the manager, in the staff and every player that is in this club. It doesn’t change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me. It should be [a turning point].”
Carrick praises players after dramatic recovery
Carrick described the result as an important moment for the club, particularly after the difficult run that preceded it.
Asked whether the victory could change the narrative surrounding his position, he replied: “It’s a win for us as a football club.”
The manager also praised the players for their response after falling two goals behind, highlighting the character they displayed in difficult circumstances.
“We’ve shown a lot of character as a group to weather what we’ve had to. You find out a lot about each other, the players will find out things about me. I certainly do about them and their character and what it means to them and what they’re prepared to put in,” Carrick said.
He added: “Proud of a lot of people actually, proud of the players, and they deserve a lot of credit for pulling through that in a tough situation.”
Carrick also acknowledged the supporters, who had endured a frustrating evening before United completed their comeback.
“And for the supporters, to be there, they were desperate for us to give them something they could get their teeth into.”
He continued: “It is really important for the players to know what this place can do.”
Despite the significance of the result, Carrick was careful not to suggest that one victory had resolved all the club’s problems.
“I am not getting too carried away with things but it is an important night,” he said.
Rooney gives Carrick credit for comeback
Former United captain Wayne Rooney also praised Carrick for the way he responded to the difficult situation during the match.
Rooney acknowledged the challenge facing the manager after United went two goals behind, but suggested his half-time intervention helped change the players’ mentality.
“Michael Carrick deserves a lot of credit as well because if you were in his shoes you are thinking, ‘how can I change this around?’” Rooney said.
He added: “Whatever he said to the team at half-time got them on the front foot and gave them the belief that they could win the game.”
Rooney also described the atmosphere inside Old Trafford as United began to fight their way back into the contest.
“You felt it, you could feel that they could win the game, everyone was together,” he said.
United must build on victory against Roma
The Manchester United comeback against Roma inevitably brought memories of another famous recovery at Old Trafford in 2018, when the club came from two goals behind to defeat Newcastle United 3-2.
Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez scored as United overturned the deficit under José Mourinho. However, that victory did not prevent the Portuguese manager from eventually losing his job in December.
United had won only three of their previous 10 matches before that Newcastle encounter. Their subsequent 13 games produced five victories, alongside four draws and four defeats.
The comparison provides a reminder that a dramatic comeback does not automatically guarantee a sustained improvement in results.
Carrick therefore needs his players to turn Wednesday’s performance into a more consistent run of positive results.
The next challenge will be against Aston Villa on Sunday, November 8, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.
Villa, managed by Unai Emery, represent another significant test for United. A positive result would give Carrick further encouragement and provide a stronger indication that the victory over Roma can become a turning point.
For Fernandes, the immediate priority is clear: maintain belief, work together and keep winning. The Manchester United comeback against Roma has lifted the mood at Old Trafford, but the real test will be sustaining that momentum.
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