Video: a comeback with a Real Madrid flavour: Manchester United return to life with a historic win over Roma

The "Red Devils" come back from behind

Manchester United roared back to life with a historic comeback win over Roma in the UEFA Champions League, channelling the spirit of the competition's great kings, Real Madrid.

United beat their guests 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening in the fourth round of the European competition's league phase.

Argentina's Matías Soulé opened the scoring for the side from the Italian capital in the 11th minute, breaking clear of goalkeeper Senne Lammens before lashing a superb left-footed strike home.

The Netherlands' Donyell Malen doubled the Wolves' lead in the 17th minute, brilliantly converting a penalty past the Belgian goalkeeper.

Bruno Fernandes dragged United back into it in the 58th minute, slotting home a penalty to cut the deficit.

On 83 minutes, the Portuguese midfielder whipped in a cross that a Roma defender misjudged, and Matheus Cunha pounced to level the scores.

Cunha then struck the killer blow. In the 86th minute, he broke clear down the right and fired a powerful shot into the Italian side's net.

True, Cunha was sent off in stoppage time. But even that could not spoil a win that had eluded United since last September.

Since their 4-0 rout of Turkey's Sabah in the opening round, United had gone nine matches without a victory, taking three draws and losing six.

Victory over Roma lifted United to six points and 17th in the European standings. The Wolves stayed on four points in 19th.

Curiously, United wiped out a two-goal deficit just as Real Madrid had done against Roma in the second round of the league phase, when the Spanish giants came from 3-1 down to win 4-3.

United will hope this "remontada" sparks a turnaround of their own, mirroring Real Madrid, who have won every game since, including the Clásico against old rivals Barcelona.