Man Utd came from 2-0 down and the depth of despair to beat Roma in a Champions League thriller at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick referred to Manchester United's 7-1 win against Roma in April 2007 as a "magical night" this week, a famous Champions League tie in which he played a central role. If that was a night of magic, then this was a night of madness at Old Trafford. Wild, beautiful madness.

Balloons, tennis balls and vitriol off the pitch, and on it tactical naivety, twice-taken penalties, some much-awaited fight and passion and an Old Trafford comeback for the ages. An atmosphere that threatened to boil over at one point ended with the roof nearly lifting off a stadium that has rarely seen a more bonkers night.

Carrick let out a smile when that Champions League quarter-final of 2006/07 was raised on the eve of this game. It was about the only time he showed any levity in a press conference that again left you with the impression his days were numbered. At half-time it felt like his hours were numbered.

But out of nowhere, United conjured a comeback that will live long in the club's folklore. Inspired by the wild-eyed Matheus Cunha, they clawed themselves off the canvas to win a game of football for the first time in 54 days and hand Carrick some much-needed breathing space.

For all the reminiscing on Monday, about the only similarities between the Manchester United of 2006/07 and 2026/27 are Carrick and the despised Glazer regime. And the odd unforgettable comeback.

Thousands of green-and-gold balloons floated out of the Stretford End as the teams came out of the tunnel, a throwback to a protest movement that began 17 years ago, a reminder of how long the supporters' battle against the American family has been ongoing. In all that time, the mood has never been more mutinous or the football as average.

The balloons were the first stage of a double protest on the night. By the time tennis balls were launched onto the pitch at 20 minutes and five seconds, signalling the year when the Glazers got their claws into the club, United were already 2-0 down.

Diogo Dalot helped to clear the pitch of tennis balls, which was his most productive contribution of the evening at that stage. On this occasion, he had his manager to blame for selling him short.

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A baffling tactical approach that had Dalot playing as an auxiliary left-winger essentially left United without a left-back. Roma had two attacks down that flank in the first 17 minutes and scored twice. Kobbie Mainoo lost possession for the first, and with Dalot marooned 20 yards ahead of the ball, Matias Soule had all the time he needed to take a touch and slot a finish past Senne Lammens.

A few minutes later Dalot had to chase back after Soule again and the attack ended with Ayden Heaven blocking a shot with his arm, with Donyell Malen scoring the penalty.

As the tennis balls landed in the corner of the pitch near the tunnel, a deafening rendition of 'We want Glazers out' echoed around Old Trafford. A couple of minutes later, Jason Wilcox was the target again.

For the rest of the half, the response to the crisis was once again lifeless, aside from Bruno Fernandes weighing up which teammate to berate next. At one point the sulky skipper earned a rebuke from the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand for his attitude.

It took until the stroke of half-time for a floated Mainoo shot to force Roma's third-choice goalkeeper into a save. Devis Vasquez should have had more to do straight after the break, but as Carlos Baleba bore down on his goal, his hamstring went. The £70million midfielder slumped to the turf, hands covering his eyes in a mixture of pain and disbelief.

That ill-timed injury sparked a frantic second half. Matheus Cunha booted the ball into the stands as he demanded more noise after winning a penalty, which Fernandes initially saw saved by Vasquez, only to be handed a reprieve for encroachment, lashing his second effort into the roof of the net.

Within seconds of the restart, Bryan Mbeumo had hit both posts after being sent clear by Cunha, while United then came close with a succession of corners which Roma struggled to deal with.

The wind looked to be going out of their comeback until Cunha took matters into his own hands. He took advantage of a defensive error to convert Shea Lacey's cross on 83 minutes, and then smashed in an unstoppable shot to win the game three minutes later.

It was little surprise when Cunha was sent off in stoppage time, such was the fury he was playing with. When the final whistle blew, he reappeared, clutching the badge on his chest. Carrick quickly told him to get off the pitch, a sign he was still thinking clearly. He kept his cool in the second half, barely celebrating any of the goals and he spent the aftermath of the winner deep in a tactical discussion with Steve Holland.

He lives to fight another day.