MANCHESTER UNITED left it late once again as Cristiano Ronaldo netted in stoppage time to steal a point against Atalanta.
The hosts had led first through Josef Ilicic before Duvan Zapata cancelled out Ronaldo’s leveller.
But CR7 once again had the final word, powering in a terrific first-time strike from outside the box after being teed up by Mason Greenwood.
- Final score: Atalanta 2-2 Man Utd
Follow ALL the latest with our live blog below…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
GOODNIGHT
This evening was another emotional rollercoaster for Manchester United supporters, who, at one point, were facing defeat, Champions League elimination, and the prospect of the Manchester derby on Saturday without the injured Raphael Varane.
However, with one sweet strike of his right foot in stoppage time, Cristiano Ronaldo turned those frowns upside down to place the Red Devils top of Group F, and on a high ahead of the weekend’s rivalry renewal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are now a victory against Villarreal away from sealing their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League, having taken four points from Atalanta over two thrilling games, in which they have trailed for the most part.
It’s over to the blue half of Manchester tomorrow for their European test ahead of Saturday’s clash, and you can follow all the action with us here. Goodbye.
SOLSKJAER REACTION
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer paid tribute to the fighting qualities of his players at full time, as well as the genius of Cristiano Ronaldo.
It was a tight game that flowed both ways. Their goals were very tight, and I was hoping for offside for both. But Cristiano is just incredible. If there’s anyone that you want the chance to fall to in the last minute, and it’s a difficult chance, it’s him. He keeps his eye on the ball, and his technique on that volley is incredible. Nobody can question the character of these players because they don’t give up, they don’t give in.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
FULL TIME STATS
There’s been very little to separate Atalanta and Manchester United over two games, and the match facts back that up this evening. Cristiano Ronaldo was responsible for three of United’s attempts on target.
Credit: UEFA.Com
F-INELY POISED
The importance of that late Cristiano Ronaldo equaliser cannot be overplayed. Had United lost this evening, then a defeat in their next game could have meant elimination. As it is, a win against Villarreal on Matchday Five and the Red Devils will be through to the knockout stages.
- Atalanta 2-2 Man Utd
- Villarreal 2-0 Young Boys
Credit: UEFA.Com RON TO THE RESCUE
Cristiano Ronaldo had barely stopped celebrating his late equaliser when he was grabbed by Des Kelly for an interview with BT Sport. The Manchester United forward was clearly delighted with his side’s late point.
It was a difficult game, it always in when you play Atalanta in Bergamo. I helped the team to earn a point and I’m so happy. We never give up, we believe until the end. It’s a good result for us.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter Credit: @Squawka Twitter FT: ATALANTA 2-2 MAN UTD
Atalanta and Manchester United play out another thriller in Group F. This one ends all square, but only after the Premier League side were bailed out by two Cristiano Ronaldo goals, scored in additional time at the end of each half. The Italians had twice taken a deserved lead but – just like at Old Trafford – they couldn’t keep hold of it once Ronaldo stepped up to the fore.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!ATALANTA 2-2 MAN UTD
90+4. United fancy their chance of winning this now.
Van de Beek turns away from Palomino in the box, and gets a shot away from an acute angle. Strong hand by Musso!
ATALANTA 2-2 MAN UTD
90+1. What a hit by Cristiano Ronaldo! What a goal! What an equaliser!
Amid the chaos of additional time, the Manchester United forward shows that he’s the coolest player on the pitch.
It’s Ronaldo that sparks the chance, driving across the penalty area with three Atalanta defenders in pursuit. Duvan Zapata denies him momentarily, but when the ball loops up off the body of Mason Greenwood, the Portuguese star keeps his head over the ball and arrows a volley into the bottom corner of Juan Musso’s net.
Ronaldo to the rescue again!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!
CRISTIANO RONALDO!!
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!!ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
90. Cavani wins a free-kick inside the Atalanta half, and United go pack the area.
The free-kick comes just as the board goes up to signify five minutes of stoppage time. Maguire gets his head on the ball, but doesn’t have the end produce of the fourth official.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
87. Here we go! A United double substitution.
Sancho and Van de Beek are on, McTominay and Bruno Fernandes head off.
Quite what the incoming duo are supposed to do in three minutes plus stoppage time, I don’t know.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
85. A long range shot from Zappacosta almost catches out De Gea. Instead, the United goalkeeper gets down low and turns the effort behind for a corner.
If only he had done that earlier tonight.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
83. Manchester United haven’t had an attempt on target in the second half, by the way. That’s what hanging around for too long at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can do to a team.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
82. Out of nowhere, it appears as though Jadon Sancho and Donny van De Beek are going to be thrown to the wo….sorry, thrown into the action.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
80. While Bailly has done really well in difficult circumstances, it’s been another evening to forget for Maguire. He’s barely put a foot right.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
78. There’s a lot of ball-watching going on in the United ranks, prompting Cavani to rush back into his own half to pressurise the Atalanta players in possession.
In his endeavours, however, the United striker knocks the ball back into the path of Zapata, who sprints away on the left. He looks for a teammate with a cross, but once again sees it cut out brilliantly by Bailly.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
77. Atalanta emerge from their defensive state, and work their way downfield with ease.
United are giving them far too much space to feel their back into this when their backs should have been against the walls.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
75. Wan-Bissaka’s eyes light up as a cross from the left makes its way across to the full-back. He weighs up the situation, takes aim, and promptly fires into the back of Greenwood.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
74. Atalanta have begun dropping very deep. They’ll still intend to threaten on the counter, but it’s a long time to play in such defensive banks.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
72. Matic slows down play in his own half, and then passes straight to an Atalanta shirt when trying to pick out Shaw on the left.
Seamlessly fitting into Pogba’s role.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
70. Another sub for the hosts. Josip Ilicic has sparkled on the right, but the evening has caught up with the 33-year-old. He’s replaced by Luis Muriel.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
69. Almost a dream introduction for Matic! The Serbian lets rip with a scorcher from outside the box, only for it to crash into an unfortunate defender.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
68. Nobody gave the ball away more often in the first half than the ten occasions of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman isn’t going to have another 45 minutes to better that because it’s he who has been withdrawn for Matic. It’s a remarkable decision considering the tightrope that the yellow-carded McTominay has been walking.
Cavani comes on for Rashford.
ATALANTA 2-1 MAN UTD
66. Now there’s movement on the substitutes’ bench, and when you need a goal, who else are you going to call other than… Nemanja Matic?
In fairness, Edinson Cavani is also coming on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
