MANCHESTER UNITED beat Atalanta 3-2 in the Champions League but had to do it the hard way as they came back from 2-0 down to do so.
Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half goals ensured a magical night at Old Trafford for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
- Start time: 8pm BST
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 2
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Freeed, Fernandes, McTominay, Rashford, Greenwood, Ronaldo
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That’s all from us tonight as Cristiano Ronaldo yet again came up with the goods to secure late victory for Manchester United in the Champions League.
The Red Devils had gone into the break 2-0 down and were met with boos from the Old Trafford crowd.
But a Marcus Rashford goal early into the second half started the comeback, before Harry Maguire levelled the scores with an instinctive finish.
And then it was only going to be one man who scored the winner.
Ronaldo rose the highest to expertly guide a Luke Shaw cross into the bottom corner at the Stretford End to seal all three points.
It sees United top Group F at the halfway point of the group stages after being bottom at half time.
And next up for the Red Devils is a huge clash against fierce rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
They then travel to Tottenham before flying to Bergamo for the reverse clash against Atalanta on November 2.
La Dea meanwhile are in action against Udinese, Sampdoria and Lazio before the hosting the Red Devils.
That’s all from us for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
MORE FROM SOLSKJAER
The United boss also says: “I thought we played well and then out of nothing they scored the first goal.
“And then another set play, a goal, but they never stopped believing.
“They kept on going, made a few mistakes yes but we kept going.”
OLE’S ANALYSIS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has this to say about the match winner Ronaldo: “He’s great in front of goal.
“And if anyone wants to criticise him for attitude or effort, just watch this game.”
GIVE US YER SHIRT
The pitch invader did in fact get a handful of Ronaldo’s shirt before being wrestled to the ground.
In the end he was marched away empty handed after giving CR7 a fright.
FULL TIME SCENES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows just how big a win that is.
Instead of ending the night bottom of Group F they go into the reverse game against Atalanta as group leaders.
And it also creates good momentum ahead of Sunday’s mouthwatering clash against bitter rivals Liverpool.
SKIPPER SPEAKS
Here are the full time thoughts of Harry Maguire: “The first half we conceded two bad goals, two big moments in the game.
“Obviously they played a quick free kick for the first [which] caught us out again.
“And then the set play which we shouldn’t be conceding [from].
“We actually created a lot of chances in the first half so we knew coming in at half time that the next goal would be crucial.
“We got the goal that we needed, what we deserved and in the end I think we deserved the victory.”
FULL TIME WHISTLE
And you could see what it meant to CR7 when the full time whistle blew.
He dropped to his knees in celebration when the three points were confirmed.
COMEBACK COMPLETE
Ronaldo even ditched his trademark ‘siu’ celebration in favour of a emotion filled knee slide.
PITCH INVASION
One fan tries to get a hand on Ronaldo’s shirt at full time but was stopped by stewards just before he reached the match winner.
STAT ATTACK
United were a different side after the break, and it shows in the match stats.
The Red Devils managed 22 efforts by the end of the game, with nine of those on target.
Whatever Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said at half time clearly worked.
BOTTOM TO TOP
After being BOTTOM of Group F at half time, Manchester United finish MatchDay Three as group leaders.
VIVA RONALDO
What more can you say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
He did it late on against Villarreal last time out, and he did it again tonight.
Here’s a look at his winning goal.
It’s a trademark CR7 header.
FT: MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
What a HUGE win that is for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!
Cristiano Ronaldo sinks to his knees in delight as the full time whistle blows.
He might just have saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job tonight.
After being booed off at half time Manchester United have come from 2-0 down to win 3-2!
A famous night at Old Trafford.
PEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT IS FULL TIME!
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA!
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
94. United survive, just, as Cristiano Ronaldo hacks the ball clear.
Surely that’s full time!
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
94. Maybe not.
Cavani is the latest man in the book for an arm to the face of Malinovskiy.
And it will be a free kick to Atalanta on the right hand side.
Surely not…
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
94. Maehle is the target of a long ball forward from Zappacosta.
It’s too far in front of the wing-back though and bounces out for a throw-in.
That might be that.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
93. Matic works his way into the book for timewasting.
He won’t care one bit though.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
92. United are seeing the game out professionally now.
And they’ve got the ball exactly where they want it.
Luke Shaw wins a free kick in the Atalanta corner.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
91. Ooooooh Ronaldo gets away with one there.
De Roon steals in and pokes the ball away from him high up the pitch.
Ronaldo drops to the ground though and earns his side a free kick, with De Roon in disbelief at the decision.
It is a bizarre one, he cleanly took the ball there.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
90. The fourth official indicates four minutes of added time.
Four minutes for the Red Devils to survive.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
89. United survive – to huge cheers from the home crowd!
Not long left to hold out now.
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
89. Matic comes on to defend the corner, replacing Fred.
He’s immediately involved and gets his head on the delivery.
The sub can only divert it away for another corner though…
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
88. Hang on, it’s not done yet!
Maehle wins a corner on the right after Cavani decides to try and back-heel the ball clear.
It’s a bizarre decision that backfires on the Uruguayan.
A chance for the visitors here.
They couldn’t, could they?
MAN UTD 3-2 ATALANTA
87. The corner is worked short as Atalanta go to sleep momentarily.
They manage to recover though and head clear when the ball is crossed in by Ronaldo.
The Italians look beaten.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
