CRISTIANO RONALDO did it again as his sublime volley at the death saw Manchester United come back from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Atalanta in the Champions League.
Ronaldo led from the front and scored both of United's vital equalisers while Eric Bailly was superb on his return to the starting XI but Paul Pogba was very sloppy before being hauled off.
It was a nightmare start for United as Josip Ilicic put the hosts 1-0 up with a tame effort from the edge of the box which David De Gea let under his body in dreadful fashion.
Raphael Varane was subbed off injured as the first-half wore on but the enforced change saw Greenwood come on and change the tempo immediately.
The England international was heavily involved in the move that saw Ronaldo equalise in first-half stoppage time after a scintillating passage of play.
United exploded out the blocks after half-time but Atalanta pegged them back again when Duvan Zapata was played through and scooped over De Gea from close range.
A lengthy VAR check showed Harry Maguire had played him onside and the goal stood but Ronaldo stole the headlines yet again as he saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's blushes – and maybe his job – for the umpteenth time.
And here's what SunSport's William Pugh thought of United's individual performances.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET 20/1 ON ONE GOAL TO BE SCORED DURING ATALANTA vs MAN UTD
DAVID DE GEA – 4/10
Dropped a clanger for Atalanta's opener as he let the average low shot slip under his body.
VAR did check for offside against Mario Pasalic with a suggestion the former Chelsea man was in the Spaniard's eyeline but nothing was given and the goal stood.
Could perhaps have been out quicker for Zapata's goal but could not have done more to save what was a close-range effort.
Made a decent save from Zapata's long-range effort late on.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6
Once again frustratingly ineffective going forward.
If he could only add that to his game he would be world class as he is almost impossible to beat at the back.
ERIC BAILLY – 8
Superb goal-saving block to deny Zapata in the 31st minute.
Couldn't tell he has struggled for game time recently as he was United's best player along with Ronnie.
Full of perfectly timed blocks and athletic interceptions when his team needed him the most.
Was criticised for his positioning by Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand for his positioning in the build up to Zapata's goal but Maguire was far more to blame.
Should expect to start next time out in the Prem if Varane's injury keeps him out.
RAPHAEL VARANE (subbed 37 mins) – 6
Was matching Zupata fairly well in the early stages.
But pulled up injured as with 10 minutes to go before the break and was subbed by Solskjaer as a precaution.
There were suggestions it could have been a repeat of the recent groin injury but it was not clear.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 4
Overshadowed by his superb centre-back partner Bailly.
Was out of position on several occasions and was flagging wildly for offside before missing with a lunge on Zapata who scored seconds later.
The two minute, six second VAR check then showed it was him playing Zupata onside.
LUKE SHAW – 5
Quiet evening. Not at his usual scintillating best going forward.
Fine defensively.
PAUL POGBA (subbed 67 mins) – 3
Fizzed an aerial ball to Ronaldo when in a good position when the Portuguese wanted it on the floor which would surely have seen him score in the 20th minute.
Lost the ball in a dangerous spot which forced Bailly into a last-ditch tackle soon after and continued to be extremely sloppy in possession as the first-half wore on.
Attempted 36 passes in the first 45 and EIGHT of them were unsuccessful.
Understandably hooked by Solskjaer with 23 to go after failing to improve after the break.
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 5
Saw his deflected effort fool the keeper and trickle towards goal before it hit the base of the post when it was still goalless.
Booked after a tussle with Joakim Maehle early in the second-half in which he caught the defender in the face.
Was exactly the type of performance that proves United need a Declan Rice or N'Golo Kante type player in the middle of midfield.
BRUNO FERNANDES (subbed 87 mins) – 7
Heavily involved in the build up to United's first goal and his skillful lay-off fed his countryman Ronaldo who made no mistake.
Nothing spectacular other than the assist but a reasonable game. Looked furious to be hooked at the end.
MARCUS RASHFORD (subbed 67 mins) – 6
Industrious and positive as he tried to make things happen.
Wasn't quite happening before half-time but he kept plugging away which Solskjaer will have been pleased with.
Rightly subbed as was just not clicking.
CRISTIANO RONALDO – 9
Led from the front again and finished of a superb move he was involved in in first-half stoppage time.
Fed Greenwood and showed for the one-two, Greenwood fizzed it into Fernandes whose flick found Ronaldo on the edge of the box and he slammed it into the left corner to make it 1-1.
Sublime volley to rescue a vital point at the death. You wouldn't believe it if it was a fairytale but you have to when it happens in front of your eyes. Superb.
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Subs
MASON GREENWOOD (replaced Varane) – 8
Looked lively from the moment he came on.
Fired a superb pass into Fernandes which led to Ronaldo's equaliser.
Smashed one off the post three minutes after half-time but was flagged offside.
Set up Ronaldo's late volley. Excellent performance off the bench.
EDINSON CAVANI (replaced Rashford) – 6
Full of energy as always.
NEMANJA MATIC (replaced Pogba) – 6
Fired a vicious effort toward goal which deflected wide seconds after coming on.
JADON SANCHO (replaced Fernandes) – 5
Not enough time to make an impact.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK (replaced Mctominay) – 5
Nearly scored the winner at the death but saw his effort blocked.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Source: Read Full Article
