Man Utd flops FINALLY show some fight to save manager's job on memorable Old Trafford night

They need fortune, sure. They needed the help of the referee and a Roma capitulation, absolutely. They were gifted a way back into the game, that is for certain.

But at least they showed real fight. At least they stood up for their beleaguered manager. At least they seemed to understand what is needed in a Manchester United jersey.

It might not be a turning point - after all, they were shocking for a half of this game - but it will certainly help. And it will certainly be a night that will be remembered.

Protesting supporters - colourfully serenading Jason Wilcox - had released thousands of green and gold balloons into the Old Trafford sky ahead of kick-off, a striking symbol of the generational disenchantment with the Glazer regime.

In the here and now, though, what Michael Carrick needed was less hot air - now matter how understandable - and more constructive talking ON the pitch.

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What he really did not need was more amateurish defensive work that allowed Matias Soule the freedom of the city to expertly put Roma ahead.

Seriously, it was parkland stuff. Not so much the surrender of possession in the middle of the pitch but the lazy disregard for Soule’s isolation on the right flank of Roma’s counter-attack.

It is either laziness or a lack of fitness. Or a combination of both.

Even more unforgivable was that the scenario was soon repeated, this one ending with Ayden Heaven blocking Soule’s strike with his arm and Donyell Malan making no mistake from the penalty spot.

Had Malan taken advantage of another gilt-edged opening moments later, the evening really would have descended into total ignominy for United.

Instead, United - when not dodging the tennis balls being hurled onto the grass as an ongoing part of the protest - responded with a degree of spirit.

Considering the inadequacy of the system, the tactics and the personnel, keeping the deficit to just a couple at half-time was an achievement in itself.

It has to be said that fortune has not been a great friend of Carrick’s this season.

His luck was typified by Carlos Baleba pulling up with a hamstring injury at the end of an untypical adventurous run early in the second half.

Yet Baleba’s misfortune was followed by the United revival - a revival prompted by Fernandes converting a spot-kick at the second attempt after his first effort had been saved by third-choice keeper Devis Vasquez and the loose ball cleared by an encroaching defender. Hence the retake.

To say the controversial penalty - it was a soft one, to start with - transformed the atmosphere would be an understatement, and United should have been level before the hour mark, but Bryan Mbeumo managed to hit both posts when a clean finish should have been a formality.

From being one of the more poisonous European nights in Old Trafford annals, it was becoming one of the more dramatic and Harry Maguire went close to United’s second as the home side found joy with every attack.

It was some mood-swing.

From being in control, Roma were in disarray and the most unlikely of comebacks beckoned.

And sure enough, the comeback arrived in spectacular fashion, Matheus Cunha tapping in the equaliser after horrendous Roma defending before hammering home the winner.

Maybe, maybe, this might be the turning point. Either way, at least they showed real fight.