Michael Carrick made two changes to his starting XI as Manchester United hosted AS Roma in the Champions League, with Kobbie Mainoo returning to midfield and Lisandro Martínez dropping out of defence.

Despite starting brightly, United were 2-0 down inside 15 minutes. Matias Soulé exploited poor positioning from Diogo Dalot to open the scoring before Donyell Malen doubled Roma's lead from the penalty spot following Ayden Heaven's handball.

United struggled to respond before the break, but Bruno Fernandes sparked the comeback after 55 minutes, converting a retaken penalty. Bryan Mbeumo then struck both posts before Matheus Cunha finally found the equaliser in the 82nd minute, finishing from close range after Fernandes' cross.

Cunha then completed the turnaround with a brilliant near-post strike following excellent work from substitute Shea Lacey. Although the Brazilian was sent off in stoppage time, United held on to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.

Amid a few injuries to United's front line, Carrick has been pretty consistent with who he has chosen to start as the side's attacking trio for the club's recent fixtures.

With Benjamin Šeško, Patrick Dorgu, and Marcus Rashford all unavailable, United have lined up with Cunha, Mbeumo, and Amad as the front three, while Joshua Zirkzee has made multiple appearances from the bench.

However, this time around, it was Lacey who became Carrick's second-half weapon, and, speaking to Amazon after the match, United legend Wayne Rooney said Carrick must start the "incredible" teen against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

"That's a great touch inside and a wonderful pass [from Lacey], and the finish is incredible [from Cunha]," Rooney said as Amazon's pundits rewatched Cunha's winning strike.

"If you look at it again, you probably think, can he square it and play your teammate in? But for me, it's all about that first touch [from Lacey], takes the defender out and that pass is incredible.

"We've said about Amad, Amad does some really good things, but it's that end product, that is what takes you to the next level.

"And the glimpses of what I've seen from Lacey when he has come on, especially this season, he has got something in there, that little touch and little pass which United needed to get them over the line in this game."

Historically, United have always leaned on their academy when time has gotten tough. Be that a young star stepping up due to injuries, or maybe another player's transfer didnt go through last minute. Either way, it's tradition at United.

For Carrick, his job is hanging by a bare thread. The victory over Roma was the club's first win in ten games, and this can only be followed by another against Villa if the former United midfielder wants to keep his job.

As Rooney alluded to, Amad has lacked a finishing touch this season, missing multiple good chances against Chelsea and Roma, while Lacey has shown a killer instinct that United have sorely missed.

If Carrick wants to give himself the best chance of staying in the hot seat at Old Trafford, he must lean on and start Lacey on Sunday afternoon.