Winger Soule found himself in the same position just moments later; this time his shot was blocked by Ayden Heaven’s hand, and Donyell Malen doubled the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot.

It was the quickest United have conceded twice in Europe at Old Trafford in history, but Bruno Fernandes gave the crowd something positive to shout about as his retaken penalty halved the deficit.

But United were a changed team in the second half, and Michael Carrick will be proud of his side's performance, as they looked like the team of last season under the Englishman, and a late brace from Matheus Cunha sent the crowd into raptures, perhaps turning the tide at United.

Here, Express Sport rates how the United players fared in Europe…

Goalkeeper

Little he could do for either goal.

Defence

Leny Yoro - 5

Made a good interception in the first half but struggled to get to grips with a vibrant Roma attack.

Harry Maguire - 5

Supposed to be the leader of this defence. Why hasn't Maguire pulled Dalot to get back into position? Had three opportunities to score from quick corners in the second half but could not equalise. Fortunately, Cunha was able to and more.

Ayden Heaven - 5

Needed to keep his arm down when Soule’s shot came flying at the stretching defender. Forced into playing both centre-back and left-back with Dalot nowhere to be seen.

Diogo Dalot - 2

Caught upfield and left Soule with the freedom of Old Trafford to slide a shot past Lammens. Dalot failed to learn his lesson and five minutes later, Soule had no defender anywhere near him before firing a shot that hit Heaven’s arm for a penalty. Caught again in a shambolic opening 20 minutes but Dalot found himself lucky a third time when Roma couldn’t get a clear shot away. Fortunate to be bailed out in the second half.

Midfield

Carlos Baleba - 6

Was far more settled alongside Kobbie Mainoo, as Baleba was able to focus on breaking up play, rather than starting it for United. Suffered heartbreak to begin the second half when he completed a mazy run in the penalty box and bore down on goal, but agonisingly appeared to pull his hamstring.

Kobbie Mainoo - 6

Lost the ball just inside his own half and Roma capitalised to bag an early opener. A costly mistake. But is the clear heartbeat of this team now.

Bruno Fernandes - 6

Showed some signs of the reigning Player of the Year in the second half, with his most memorable moment in the opening 45 minutes being a scuffle for which he was shown a booking.

Deserves some credit for stepping up a second time from the penalty spot, after his first effort was saved, but encroachment from the Roma defenders meant Fernandes was able to fire into the roof of the net.

Attack

Amad - 5

Made a bright start but fizzled out once United went two goals down. Looks absolutely terrified in front of goal.

Bryan Mbeumo - 4

Struggled to influence proceedings at the top of the pitch and needed to lift the leaking roof shortly after Fernandes' penalty, but Mbeumo struck both posts when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Matheus Cunha - 9

United's matchwinner, kept himself busy and was in the right place at the right time to equalise following a horrific defensive error by Roma. There was no one else to credit for his second, and United's third, as he burst into the penalty area and blasted an effort that no goalkeeper could save.

Perhaps deserves a chance through the middle when Marcus Rashford is back. One of the few players showing any fight, evidenced by the forward rallying the crowd after winning a penalty in the 54th minute. Hilariously sent off in stoppage time.

Substitutes

Youri Tielemans (50') - 7

A bold choice to replace Baleba, with Andrey Santos left on the pitch as a like-for-like replacement. But his composure on the ball helped United set a faster tempo and keep the pressure on Roma.

Lisandro Martinez (75') - 6

His passing through the lines was very valuable.

Shea Lacey (75') - 7