Star Metro - Manchester United rallies past Roma as PSG dominates in Champions League

PARIS: Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, giving under-pressure manager Michael Carrick a reprieve. Holders Paris Saint-Germain continued their perfect start in the competition with a 6-0 rout of Villarreal. United looked set for another heavy defeat when they went two down within 18 minutes, through a neat Matias Soule finish and a Donyell Malen penalty. They staged a thrilling second-half comeback that turned a hostile atmosphere at Old Trafford into one of joy. Matheus Cunha, who was later sent off in stoppage time, scored twice in three minutes near the end to win the game.

The celebrations were in sharp contrast to the first half, when fans threw tennis balls and other objects onto the pitch and chanted abuse at the club’s majority owners, the Glazer family. “We knew that the fans would be behind us until the last day, we just had to get a result for them,” United captain Bruno Fernandes told TNT. Fernandes pulled United back into the game in the 58th minute at the second attempt from the penalty spot. Roma’s third-choice goalkeeper Devis Vasquez saved his first effort, but the kick was retaken because Roma players had encroached into the area. Roma, who also threw away a big lead against Real Madrid in their only other defeat of the season, then collapsed. “I spoke at halftime about being positive. Anything can happen here, I’ve seen it many times over the years,” Carrick said.

United host Aston Villa, who lost 3-0 at Barcelona, on Sunday before the international break. PSG were ruthless even without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, captain Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes. Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Senny Mayulu and Fabian Ruiz scored in an eight-minute spell in the first half. It was the fastest four goals scored in a Champions League match. Ruiz added another, and teenager David Boly completed the rout to send Luis Enrique’s side top of the table. “We were impressive throughout and we are really pleased even if it is very difficult for Villarreal,” Luis Enrique said.

Before kickoff, Europe’s leading clubs held a minute’s silence for Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. He died aged 30 from injuries suffered in a collision with FC Andorra’s goalkeeper in a Spanish second division match. Bayern Munich, also missing several key players, won 2-0 at Atletico Madrid to move into the top eight. Second-half goals came from teenage Germany forward Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer, despite the absence of Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari. Inter Milan recovered from their derby defeat at the weekend with a 3-0 win over Feyenoord, with goals from Yann Bisseck, Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski. — AFP

Ch.Levesque--SMC