Michael Carrick 'back from brink' after 'shambles' first half against Roma - but will this 'kickstart' Manchester United's season?

Was Michael Carrick's job as Manchester United head coach saved by an incredible comeback win against Roma in the UEFA Champions League, following a "shambolic" first-half display that saw them fall 2-0 behind?

Watch: Cunha scores late stunner as Man Utd seal thrilling comeback win over Roma

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With United not having won in nine previous matches, Carrick's position looked under serious threat when they conceded two early goals against Roma in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match amid a furious atmosphere at Old Trafford, where fans protested against the club's ownership.

Yellow tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch - and yellow and green balloons were released into the air - as the players emerged from the tunnel.

On the pitch, United's dismal form looked set to continue as Matias Soule scored after 11 minutes before Donyell Malen converted a penalty soon after.

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"Something has got to give. It's hard to watch," said former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on TNT Sports' Goals Show Xtra.

"The whole club is a shambles. It's really difficult to point your finger at one person, but you have to draw the wagons, you have to make a decision on his [Michael Carrick's] future, and it's more than likely it will be away from Manchester United for Michael.

"He has held himself with such integrity and such composure because it has been toxic.

"They played well for 45 minutes at the weekend but they are at sixes and sevens tonight. The fans know Michael is not the issue at the club, there is more to it, and they cheered him as a legend of the club [after the defeat to Bournemouth].

"The players need to step up, with some of the behaviour they have let the manager and each other down."

The mood was especially toxic at the end of another damaging first half for Carrick and his players.

"You're looking at him on the side, and you're thinking just blow the whistle," Karen Carney said on Goals Show Xtra.

"It's quite galling now as it's so painful. It's a vicious cycle and there's nothing left to say. It's a mess.

"We've got the international break coming up, and you'd be surprised if there wasn't a change."

TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens added: "This side is a shambles and it's all on him. This is on him. This is not a good team and he is not a good coach right now. He seems to be the only person who seems oblivious to it."

But United vastly improved after the break, getting a goal back through a retaken Bruno Fernandes penalty.

Bryan Mbeumo then saw a shot hit both posts, before Matheus Cunha equalized, with United by far the dominant force in the match.

The Brazilian fired home again with four minutes of time remaining to spark wild celebrations at Old Trafford - and leave TNT Sports expert Carney with mixed feelings.

"The first half to second half was significantly different. We have seen the passion - where has that been for the last few weeks?" Carney asked.

Cunha pounces on Roma gift to equalise for Man Utd

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"I know there might have been a really fantastic team-talk at half-time but I wouldn't have thought it was tactical genius, it was heart, passion and desire.

"It's a great result but I feel a bit cheated with what I have watched the last few weeks. Where has that been for Michael, for themselves, for the club?"

TNT Sports expert Martin Keown added about Carrick: " He was on the brink...His head was in the lion's mouth at half-time. We were all saying is he going to resign, is he going to step away, will he be sacked?

"We said it has to be an amazing team-talk and whatever he said to the group, if it was you don't want to play for me but play for the football club, they have certainly done that in the second half."

United play Aston Villa at home on Sunday in the Premier League and Laurens thinks the momentum will be with Carrick's side after Villa were thrashed by Barcelona in the Champions League.

"This should kickstart their season and take the momentum into the Villa game.

"Villa got battered at Barcelona so won't have the same positive dynamic as United. They will have the crowd buzzing and they all have to use this positive energy to kickstart the season. The first half was poor, the second half was much better."

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