Manchester United looked to be heading for another miserable night at Old Trafford, but instead produced a comeback to remember, beating Roma 3-2 after going two goals down. Their first win in 10 matches could hardly have come at a better time for Michael Carrick, whose position had come under increasing scrutiny during the club's poor run.

Matias Soule and Donyell Malen had put Roma 2-0 ahead inside 17 minutes, leaving United with a mountain to climb. The home side were booed off at half-time, and Carrick was facing more uncomfortable questions after a run that had brought little to cheer.

The response, when it came, was emphatic. Bruno Fernandes converted a retaken penalty to give United a way back into the contest before Matheus Cunha scored twice in the final stages to turn the game on its head.

Fernandes was keen to make it clear that, despite the noise surrounding the club and its manager, his faith in Carrick had not wavered. The United captain also admitted that the players shared the frustration of supporters who have grown accustomed to seeing the club compete for trophies.

"The manager is the one that 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," Fernandes told Amazon Prime.

The midfielder also hoped the result would give United something to build on after a difficult spell.

"We're all frustrated with the situation at the moment and we all want to get out of this. Hopefully this win today gives the start of something good for us," he said.

FANS TURN ON GLAZERS AGAIN

The frustration was not limited to the players. United supporters had made their anger towards the Glazer ownership clear, with tennis balls thrown onto the pitch during the first half as part of a protest against the club's American owners.

The demonstration carried a familiar message. The Glazers took control of Manchester United in 2005 and have faced sustained opposition from sections of the fanbase ever since. The protest also came against the backdrop of growing discontent over the club's performances and the direction in which it is heading.

CUNHA COMPLETES THE TURNAROUND

United's comeback gathered pace after Cunha won the penalty that Fernandes converted. Bryan Mbeumo then struck both posts with one effort as the hosts piled on the pressure, before a poor clearance from Leonardo Balerdi allowed Cunha to slot home the equaliser.

The Brazilian completed the turnaround with a superb near-post finish from Shea Lacey's pass, sending Old Trafford into celebration. His night ended on a sour note, though, as he was sent off in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Balerdi.

United had to see out the closing stages with 10 men, but held on for a first win in 54 days. Carrick, who had looked to be running out of time at half-time, left the pitch to applause rather than the jeers that had greeted his team earlier in the evening.

The victory gives Carrick some breathing space, but United have little time to dwell on it. Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on November 8 before a trip to Liverpool on November 22, with a Champions League meeting away to Sporting CP following three days later. Those fixtures will offer a much clearer indication of whether the comeback against Roma can be the turning point Carrick and United desperately need.

- Ends