Manchester United completed a comeback from a two-goal deficit to beat Atalanta 3-2 in UEFA Champions League Group F on Wednesday with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a late winner for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men. Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral had given the Italians a significant advantage in the first half before the hosts began their second-half recovery.
Marcus Rashford got things started before a crucial David De Gea save kept the deficit at one goal shortly before Harry Maguire leveled for United.
It was left to Ronaldo to score the winning goal nine minutes from time to take some significant heat away from Solskjaer, who had looked like he was headed for some strong criticism. While that critique will remain, the blow has been significantly softened ahead of a crucial weekend clash with Liverpool in the Premier League.
Some takeaways.
Solskjaer's saviors
Once again, the Norwegian appeared to be at a tactical loss and was bailed out by his key players with Rashford, De Gea, Maguire and Ronaldo all coming good just in time to save him from deserved criticism. It feels like there is only so much longer that these sorts of scenarios can play out in Solskjaer's favor but he will not be complaining about this timely turn of events.
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Apathetic Atalanta
Having done so well to open up a two-goal lead, Gian Piero Gasperini's men thought they had done enough and switched off. They rallied once Rashford scored and were denied a third by an excellent De Gea. However, they were not their usual relentless selves and that worked against them here as it allowed United to get back into the game.
Denied by De Gea
Had the Spaniard not made a key intervention at 2-1, United might well have gone on to lose the game. It was a defining moment and the complexion of the match quickly changed once Maguire levelled in impressive fashion. De Gea has been an important figure so far this campaign and his current form is currently keeping him first choice.
Ronaldo relishes late chance
The Portugal international was in his element as the match swung in United's favor and the win suddenly became a possibility, so it was no surprise to see him putting the finishing touches to such a dramatic spectacle and ensuring that the defining moment was once more about him.