Mainoo and Lacey inspire Manchester United comeback against Roma, but sweeping change is still needed

Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey gave Manchester United a lift in their comeback against Roma, but the win does not erase the need for changes beyond the coaching staff to address the club’s problems, in Nick Ames’s view. The analysis says the biggest challenge remains reproducing the level the team showed in the second half.

Mainoo returned to the starting line-up after a spell in which he had often been absent through injury, but he lost possession in the build-up to the goal scored by Matías Soulé. With United two goals behind, the midfielder tried to energise his team by driving through the middle, before the match changed with the introduction of Youri Tielemans and the home side increasing their pressure.

Bruno Fernandes cut the deficit from a penalty that was retaken, then Matheus Cunha equalised after Leonardo Balerdi failed to clear the ball. In the decisive move, Mainoo helped quicken play and switch the ball to the right, before Lacey passed to Cunha, who completed the comeback with the winning goal.

The report argues that the win does not settle Michael Carrick’s future, nor does it remove the need for institutional changes extending beyond the coaching staff. United face Aston Villa at the weekend, while Carrick still needs further positive results, according to the analysis.