Matheus Cunha and Michael Carrick's exchange after Man Utd vs Roma explained as UEFA rule emerges
Matheus Cunha could have risked a UEFA rule breach with his actions after being sent off during Manchester United's comeback 3-2 win over Roma in the Champions League.
Cunha scored a brace as United came from 2-0 down to win their first game in any competition since September 10, with the Brazilian's goals coming on 83 and 86 minutes.
But Cunha was sent off in second half stoppage time, having originally been booked for taking his shirt off while celebrating one of his goals before being booked again for a foul. At full-time, the Brazilian tried to walk on to the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates, only for United head coach Michael Carrick to usher him away to the dressing room. But Carrick may very well have been stopping Cunha from being hit with further action.
READ NEXT: Amazon Prime forced to apologise over Bruno Fernandes interview after Man Utd beat Roma
Matheus Cunha could have risked UEFA punishment during Man Utd vs Roma
IFAB's Laws of the Game state that a player who has been sent off 'must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area' and cannot return, even at the full-time whistle.
It is why players who are sent off during matches often sit in the stands to watch the game with their team-mates, or alternatively walk straight back to the dressing room.
Advert
Cunha chose the former, and was blocked from entering the pitch by Carrick at full-time. Although the Brazilian seemed less than pleased at the decision, it appears that his manager was simply trying to protect him.
Carrick spoke positively about the Brazilian's performance during his post-match interview, and said of the team in general: "I didn't feel relief [at the victory]. I was genuinely pleased for the players. I know how much they care, I know what they're giving. Sometimes it looks like that, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes we play well, sometimes we haven't, and I understand that.
"But I could feel their willingness to do well, and so for them to have to dig really deep, and to see everybody having that feeling that we all crave. That's why we're all here."
On Cunha, he said: "Disappointed with how it finished, but it just shows how much he cares and he's willing to do when he's in the frame of mind, he's in that mood, and he plays like that."
Matheus Cunha on Man Utd win
UEFA rules don't stop players from conducting interviews, and Cunha appeared on CBS Sports after full-time at Old Trafford to discuss United's win and his own performance.
"I'm more anxious to do this interview than to play the game, honestly," he said. "I don't believe a lot in my English! What a magic day. Of course, apart from the red card. But yeah, everything that you can bring for this club and then always dream to be part of something unbelievable, and come here and then have this comeback in this very hard moment of the season."
Topics: Michael Carrick, Man Utd, Champions League
Ryan Smart
