Diogo Dalot believes Manchester United’s comeback victory over Roma could change the direction of the club’s troubled season and reassure unhappy supporters that the players care. United came from two goals down to win 3-2, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice late in the match after Bruno Fernandes began the recovery with a retaken penalty.

United had been booed off at half-time, but Dalot said the team’s response and the crowd’s backing in the second half created an energy that helped push them forward. “Nights like this can change momentum, they can change seasons,” he said.

The match came amid continued anger towards the Glazer family, United’s owners since 2005. Before kick-off at Old Trafford, thousands of green and gold balloons were released from the Stretford End. Supporters sang anti-Glazer songs and threw tennis balls onto the pitch when the clock showed 20 minutes and five seconds, a reference to 2005.

Fans have also criticised the players during United’s poor start to the Premier League season. The team had seven points from their first nine games, their worst opening to a league campaign since 1987-88. After a recent 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth, supporters jeered the players as they left the pitch; Dalot was the last to depart.

Against Roma, Dalot was involved in a difficult first half as United’s attacking approach left space behind. Roma scored their first goal after Kobbie Mainoo lost possession in midfield, allowing Matias Soulé to move into the space on United’s left. Dalot said the team knew Roma would defend man-to-man and that losing the ball centrally could leave them exposed. He added that United tried to rebalance after conceding a second goal.

Dalot said United entered the second half knowing they had little to lose. Winning duels and playing on the front foot helped bring the crowd into the game, he said, adding that the team needed to show the right attitude consistently. He also said players could become discouraged too quickly when a match did not go as planned.

United are due to face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday. Dalot said the team needed to carry the resilience shown against Roma into that match.

Sources: The Guardian Sport.