Old Trafford had seen nothing like it, and not in a good way, for the first quarter of an hour. Roma led 2-0 after 17 minutes through Matías Soulé and a Donyell Malen penalty, United’s most miserable opening to any home night in Europe. By the final whistle the hosts had won 3-2 and snapped a nine-match winless run in all competitions.
Bruno Fernandes began the fightback just before the hour, scoring from the spot at the second attempt after the first kick was ordered retaken. Bryan Mbeumo then rattled both posts with one effort before Matheus Cunha struck in the 83rd and 86th minutes. The Brazilian’s night ended early when a second yellow card sent him off in stoppage time, but the win offers welcome breathing room to head coach Michael Carrick.
Paris Saint-Germain produced the evening’s statistical headline in Spain. Four goals inside 17 minutes against Villarreal, from João Neves, Désiré Doué, Senny Mayulu and Fabián Ruiz, made them the fastest side in Champions League history to reach that tally. Ruiz added another after the break and substitute David Boly completed a 6-0 rout, a tenth straight win that leaves the holders three points clear at the top.
Bayern Munich ended a pair of draws with a 2-0 win at Atlético Madrid. Teenager Lennart Karl pounced on a turnover to beat Jan Oblak and Konrad Laimer added the second from a Harry Kane pass. Kane, playing his first European game since collecting the Ballon d’Or, drew a blank, so Cristiano Ronaldo keeps sole ownership of the record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches in the competition.
Barcelona ended Aston Villa’s perfect start with a 3-0 win built on Lamine Yamal’s early opener and two from Raphinha. Inter won 3-0 in Rotterdam, Galatasaray beat Stuttgart 2-0 and Sporting edged Shakhtar 1-0. Three English clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool and City, take the stage when the matchday concludes tonight.
