OLD TRAFFORD — Desperate times call for desperate measures. And for Michael Carrick, he is down to his very last roll of the dice.

19 years on from one of the greatest nights of his playing career, the death knell appeared to have sounded for Carrick the manager, as a tepid Manchester United found themselves 2-0 down at home to Roma inside 17 excruciatingly poor minutes.

United were on the canvas, staring down the barrel of their worst run of winless matches in one season since 1978, before the unthinkable happened. Old Trafford has borne witness to some of the greatest comebacks in footballing history, but none were as bolt-from-the-blue as this.

Carrick’s double inspired United to that famous 7-1 thrashing of the same opponent in 2007. This time, it was someone altogether more raw making all the difference.

“Not going too over the top, but at the same point I am absolutely delighted for Shea,” Carrick said of his fledgling knight in shining armour Shea Lacey.

“We love him to bits, you know. He’s a great young man, he’s desperate to do well, he’s got great ability.

“In terms of coming inside and finding the pass, that’s not surprising. He’s got that little glint in his eye, he plays with a bit of mischief if you like.”

A young rebel without a cause certainly sums up the 19-year-old. Replacing an ineffective Amad Diallo, who remains without a goal for United since last December, the embryonic firebrand showed novel willingness to drive at defenders in such a pressurised situation where livelihoods were on the line. It was a breath of fresh air, in the stinking swamp Old Trafford has become.

With Roma backpedalling after United’s stroke of luck to get back in the game, when Bruno Fernandes was allowed to retake his missed penalty following encroachment, substitute Lacey smelled blood.

Every time he got his foot on the ball, he only had one thing on his mind. His endeavour has been conspicuous by its absence from the red half of Manchester for some time, and explains why United find themselves in such trouble.

The pass for Matheus Cunha’s winner was arrowed into the Brazilian with a conviction Fernandes has struggled to muster this term. With defenders all around, the pace on the pass was required to pick out the matchwinner in the box at the most crucial moment.

United needed that cathartic moment, as a topless Cunha leapt into the crowd to celebrate another famous Old Trafford comeback, but it would not have been possible without Lacey’s breathless contribution from the bench.

Even with victory, Carrick is unlikely to see out the year. It would take a turnaround of epic proportions for any other eventuality to play out, something this limp excuse for a United side seem physically incapable of conjuring. The only way the besieged coach gets the chance to oversee real, lasting change around M16 is to be bold, like he never has before.

And that means giving Lacey a central role. Amad needs a reset, Marcus Rashford is without a goal since returning, while Mason Mount continues to give Antony a run for his money in the battle for the title of “greatest flop of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era”.

Cunha’s double guarantees him a start on one flank – although a late second yellow card means he will miss time in Europe. Bryan Mbeumo has been a rare shining light in the central role. But there is no reason why Lacey should not get more game time on the other wing.

Amid the wild scenes of celebration upon the final whistle, and bizarre attempts to calm Cunha down, Carrick sought Lacey out, pulling him into his chest like a father reunited with a much-missed son.

Carrick is a regular at youth games and is fully aware of the talent at his disposal. Now, in his hour of need, is the time to use it.