Managed, at some stage, to roam free (5)
I believe the answer is:
range
'roam free' is the definition.
'range' can be an answer for 'roam' (range can mean to roam around). I'm not certain of the 'free' bit.
'managed at some stage' is the wordplay.
'managed' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this before).
'at some stage' becomes 'ge' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ran'+'ge'='RANGE'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for range that I've seen before include "Sierra" , "Stove; variety" , "Vocal compass" , "Limits - scope" , "Array" .)