Shea Lacey turns Roma game around for United off the bench: 15 minutes, one assist, a new position

The substitute who changed the game

Shea Lacey needed only 15 minutes to set up Matheus Cunha for United's winning goal against Roma. ^[1] Lacey is 19 years old, and United fans who want to know who came off the bench to rescue the night have a clear answer. ^[1]

Lacey replaced Amad in the 75th minute, with United trailing 2-1. ^[1] He was thrown on and sent an inch-perfect pass to Cunha, who scored the winner from a tight angle. ^[2]

What Lacey did in his 15 minutes

Lacey had 14 touches and a 100% passing completion in his 15 minutes on the pitch. ^[1] He won four of his five duels and attempted four take-ons, three of which were successful. ^[1]

The win was United's first since September 10. ^[2] Cunha scored twice and was then sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time. ^[2]

A right-back for the closing minutes

After Cunha was sent off, Lacey covered at right-back to help protect the lead. ^[1] Carrick referred to Lacey as the new right-back while walking past during Lacey's MUTV interview. ^[1]

Lacey said playing right-back was new to him and that he had never done it before. ^[1] He said that sometimes players have to do such things to see games out, and that it worked well in the end. ^[1]

How the night unfolded

Bruno Fernandes's first penalty was saved by Roma goalkeeper Devis Vásquez, then cancelled for encroachment and retaken. ^[2] Carlos Baleba limped off with a hamstring injury shortly after half-time, and Youri Tielemans came on as a replacement. ^[2]

Baleba was signed from Brighton in the summer. ^[2] Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are unavailable for United, and Patrick Dorgu returned to training. ^[2]

The pressure on Carrick

Fernandes was dropped for the first time in his Old Trafford career last month for criticising Carrick's tactics in the 4-1 loss against Como. ^[2] Fans chanted against the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox during and after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. ^[2]

Carrick said it was one win and the team was not getting carried away, but it was an important win. ^[3]

Earlier comebacks at United

In 2018 Mourinho's Man Utd came back from 2-0 down to beat Newcastle 3-2, with Mata scoring at 70 minutes and Alexis Sanchez completing it in the final minute. ^[3] Mourinho was sacked in December 2018 after a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool. ^[3]