'The mood is ugly': Manchester United implode in 'atrocious' 17-minute Champions League nightmare

Manchester United conceded two goals inside the opening 17 minutes of their UEFA Champions League clash with Roma in a horror start on Wednesday (AEDT). United entered the European fixture in the midst of a nine-match winless streak with pressure mounting on embattled head coach Michael Carrick.

In the words of world feed commentator Gary Taphouse, it was a "calamitous start" at Old Trafford, where Roma scored twice in six minutes to stun the Manchester crowd. Matias Soule found himself in acres of space as he found the back of the net in the 11th minute after United defender Ayden Heaven was dragged out of position.

BBC Sport's United reporter Simon Stone said: "Twice Diogo Dalot pushed up from the left back position. Twice Manchester United lost the ball.

Matias Soule scored the first time he was left on his own. The second time Soule drove the ball into Ayden Heaven.

This is atrocious from the home side. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have both been picked out by the TV cameras in the directors box.

The Manchester United fans are mutinous." "Just should not happen," Taphouse said of the amount of space for Soule to break the deadlock for Roma, who had only won one of 21 away matches against English clubs before kick-off. Heaven then conceded a penalty six minutes later following a handball, with Donyell Malen stepping up to convert the spot-kick.

"Oh my goodness, there's such nervous at the back. They're all over the place," Taphouse said.

United fans were also heard directing chants at under-fire football director Jason Wilcox, who has found himself under growing pressure at the club. "The mood is rather ugly," added Taphouse.

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