It was yet another eventful night for Manchester United as they travelled to Bergamo to play Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League match.
Manchester United was heading to Italy after trouncing Tottenham 3-0 in a match that saw Nuno relieved his duty at Spurs due to poor performance, but although Manchester United might have secured the three points against the North London club on weekend, they still had more today.
Cristiano Ronaldo as usual pulled magic to rescue Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with two goals that allow them to advance in the last 16. Currently Manchester United sits atop of the table followed by Villareal with whom they will play against in the coming weeks.
Manchester United United defenses were highly overrun by opponents but Eric Baily proved to be solid at the back despite being overlooked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
12 minutes into the game was enough for Atalanta to claim bragging rights at their home ground, Duvan Zapata who was a full-time threat to United defenders threw in a cross in the box to find Josip Ilicic who fired Atalanta ahead.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates; Photo Credit – CNN
The inconsistent Manchester United equalized in the added minutes of the first half thanks to Bruno Fernandes backheel pass that found Ronaldo in the box firing in. Mason Greenwood also played a big part in the build-up.
Second-half Manchester United came in with a fighting spirit to salvage a win but their lack of coordination and loss of possession caught with them always. Zapata placed Atalanta in the lead once against after 11 minutes but Cristiano Ronaldo a man of the big moments rose again in 90+1 to ensure Manchester United takes a point home from Italy.
It is due to this that Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United has more to do, to play against food sides in the Champions League.
Ronaldo who was speaking to BT Sport after the match said that they were lucky to draw against Atalanta.
The 36-years old admitted that United must improve to turn their season hopes around.
Man United drew 1-1 with Atalanta; Photo Credit – The Cult of Calcio
In a very intense match in Bergamo, Italy United performance was not convincing at all, calling for criticism from United legends such as Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes who both warned them ahead of their coming Manchester derby.
The draw against Atalanta means that Man United has only three wins in nine games since the start of September and that also they have not been able to win a consecutive match.
Since his return to Old Trafford in the summer window transfer Ronaldo has bagged a total of 9 goals in 11 matches.
In admission, Ronaldo said although it was difficult they believed until the end.
The all-time international goal-scorer also praised the Atalanta coach as a fantastic coach with a nice project.
“We were a little bit lucky in the end but that is football,” Ronaldo told BT Sport.
He said United should capitalize on improving themselves to be better as there was time still given the season has not reached mid-way.
“We have to adapt with each other, but it will take time. We have time to improve and be better.”
While Ronaldo is oozing a winning mentality message and hopeful of turning things around for the Manchester club, it is still not well known what is happening in the dressing room.
Man United will face Manchester City on Sunday.
It is indeed a testing time for Ole as he prepares to play against City and the next fixtures will be Chelsea, Villareal, and Arsenal.
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