Michael Carrick, the head coach of Manchester United, intervened to guide Matheus Cunha down the tunnel following the team's dramatic 3-2 victory over Roma. Cunha, the match-winner, received a red card in injury-time after scoring two late goals.
His initial offense was a yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring the winning goal. A subsequent foul on Leonardo Balerdi resulted in a second yellow card and his dismissal.
After being sent off, Cunha initially watched the end of the match from an advertising board and attempted to join his teammates on the pitch to celebrate. When club staff tried to prevent him, Carrick stepped in to ensure he went down the tunnel.
"I was disappointed with how it finished, but again just shows how much he cares and is willing to do," Carrick said of Cunha's actions. "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. Matheus can do those things, you know. He's got those moments."
Cunha also earned the penalty that allowed Bruno Fernandes to score United's first goal of the second half. Carrick had moved Cunha into a more central midfield position at halftime to improve the team's shape and positioning.
It is uncertain if Cunha will face further disciplinary action from UEFA beyond a suspension for the next Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon. This incident echoes a similar event in March 2025 when Cunha, then playing for Wolves, was sent off against Bournemouth and had to be escorted off the pitch. He received an additional one-match ban and a £50,000 fine for his conduct in that instance.