Matheus Cunha will not face an extended ban from UEFA after he returned to the pitch following his sending-off in Manchester United's Champions League comeback victory against Roma. The automatic one-match suspension, triggered by two yellow cards, remains unchanged.
Cunha scored in the 83rd and 86th minutes to complete a comeback from 2-0 down for Michael Carrick's side. However, the Brazilian attacker was booked for his goal celebration and then received a second yellow card for a foul in injury time.
Post-match return to the pitch
After his dismissal, Cunha watched the final minutes from an advertising hoarding before re-entering the field at full-time. He gestured to supporters in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand and hugged teammates. Carrick waved Cunha off when he noticed him, and the 27-year-old was escorted down the tunnel after applauding the Stretford End.
Despite Carrick's concern, UEFA confirmed no further action will be taken. A UEFA spokesperson said: "The UEFA official reports did not mention anything about this incident. Therefore the automatic one-match ban following two yellow cards should not be extended for this reason. We are not investigating further this matter."
Carrick's reaction to the dismissal
Carrick said he was "disappointed" at the dismissal of an emotional Cunha but praised his impact on the game. "Matheus can do them things, he's got them moments," the United head coach said. "We put him inside, we swapped him with Bran at half-time to try and get him in the middle of the pitch, try and give us a little bit of different shape, and put him in the centre of the pitch, and he found himself in good positions."
"Disappointed with how it finished, but again just shows how much he cares and willing to do, and when he's in that frame of mind, he's in that mood and he plays like that, that's what we want from him."
Cunha will now miss United's trip to Sporting later this month due to the one-match ban.
