Michael Carrick steered Matheus Cunha towards the tunnel after Manchester United's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Roma, appearing to prevent the forward from joining celebrations and risking further sanctions.
Cunha was the match-winner as United overturned a two-goal deficit at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Roma led 2-0 by the 17th minute through Matias Soule and a Donyell Malen penalty, but United rallied after the interval with Bruno Fernandes converting from the spot before Cunha struck twice.
The Brazilian levelled from close range and then hammered a second past the goalkeeper at the near post. His celebrations, however, proved costly.
Red card and a tense exchange
Cunha received a booking for removing his shirt and leaping into the supporters, then collected a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Leonardo Balerdi. United finished the closing stages with 10 men to end a run of nine matches without victory.
At the final whistle, Carrick approached his forward and evidently instructed him to go down the tunnel rather than join team-mates and fans in celebration. The move appeared aimed at preventing Cunha from facing additional sanctions, as dismissed players are prohibited from stepping onto the pitch straight after the final whistle and must stay in the spectators' section or the changing room.
Carrick defends his striker
Carrick refused to condemn his goalscorer too severely. "Disappointed with how it finished but, again, it just shows how much he cares and he's willing to do, when he's in that frame of mind and he's in that mood, that's why we want him here," he said.
Speaking to CBS Sports Golazo, Cunha joked that his celebration was "too Brazilian" before adding: "What a magic day. Of course, apart from the red card. But yeah, everything that you can bring for this club and then always dream to be part of something unbelievable. And come here and then have this comeback in this very hard moment of the season. Today was a blessed day for me. I always talk inside if I need to be this guy to have the responsibility in the hard moments, I'll be there."
What's next for United and Cunha
Cunha will be absent from United's next Champions League fixture against Sporting CP on November 25 in Portugal. He remains available for Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, as the suspension applies exclusively to UEFA competitions.
