Manchester United player ratings: Cunha leads the way in Roma comeback

Manchester United won for the first time in 54 days after coming from 2-0 down inside 17 minutes to beat AS Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford. Matheus Cunha was the standout, scoring twice and finishing with the match's highest rating at 8.39, while Diogo Dalot was left exposed in the first half.

Cunha's decisive night

Cunha's evening had a bit of everything. He played more through the middle than he had been, won the penalty that started the comeback and then scored the equaliser before striking again in the 86th minute. The numbers fit the eye test too, with three shots on target and a match-high 8.39 rating. He was not just the scorer, he was the one carrying United through the mess around him.

Michael Carrick's side had already been pegged back by Matías Soulé in the 11th minute and Donyell Malen from the penalty spot in the 17th. Senne Lammens also had to make a sharp save from Malen on the stroke of half-time, which kept the margin at two and gave United a route back.

The defensive problems behind the comeback

Dalot's night was the most uncomfortable on the ratings card. He was caught ahead of the ball for both first-half goals, and that left United stretched far too easily when Roma broke. The comeback changed the mood, but it did not hide how exposed the left side looked before the interval.

Bruno Fernandes added another key piece after the break, scoring from the spot on his second attempt in the 58th minute and finishing with five key passes. United still needed Cunha's late burst, though, and that is where the match was settled. The 3-2 win ended a long wait for a victory and gave the ratings card a clear top line: Cunha first, everyone else a fair way behind.