Peter Schmeichel says Yuri Tielemans sparked Manchester United’s comeback against Roma

Peter Schmeichel believes Yuri Tielemans transformed Manchester United’s Champions League match against Roma, helping them recover from two goals down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford.

The former United goalkeeper said he was deeply saddened by what he saw during the first half, but felt the game changed after Tielemans replaced the injured Carlos Baleba shortly after the interval.

Schmeichel, speaking to CBS Sports in comments reported by Metro, said: “It was time for us to do something like this. Manchester United have done this kind of thing time and time again in the past, but it has taken a long time.”

He added: “In the first half, I felt very sad about what I saw in those opening 45 minutes. The situation was really bad. Then Carlos Baleba went off injured at the start of the second half and I thought to myself, ‘It cannot get any worse than this.’”

“But Yuri Tielemans came on and changed the course of the game. This was the best performance I have seen from him for Manchester United and I am extremely happy for him.

“He came into midfield, drove the team forward and showed leadership. It was fantastic to see.”

Tielemans joined Manchester United in the summer, while Baleba’s injury created the opportunity for the Belgian midfielder to enter the game and influence the contest.

Schmeichel said the result could prove significant for Michael Carrick’s side as they learn what is required in major European matches.

“For me, this could be a major turning point,” he said. “The players now understand what it means to be at Manchester United and to play in these big European nights.”

His son, former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, also praised Tielemans after the comeback.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live, Kasper said the team had failed to show enough commitment before half-time but responded after the break.

“I said at half-time that if you are going to lose, fight until the end,” he said. “You can accept defeat if you have given everything, and they had not done that in the first half.

“But they did in the second half. Carlos Baleba had set the tone for the way they played. It was unfortunate that he was injured, but that became the spark. Yuri Tielemans came on and changed the game a little. There was much more control.”

Kasper added: “When you play in these matches and go two goals behind, you have already lost, so you might as well give everything. You might as well run and play.”

He said that level of effort should become the standard for United and give Carrick a reference point when addressing the squad before difficult games.

After four matches, Manchester United are 17th in the Champions League, while Roma have dropped to 19th.

Carrick’s side return to action on Sunday against Aston Villa. Roma, third in Serie A, host Sassuolo.