Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United got here from behind to safe a lucky 2-1 Champions League Group F win over Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
On the evening he set the brand new document for essentially the most appearances within the competitors, the 36-year-old Portuguese delivered the killer blow to save lots of his supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from one other disappointing outcome and the inevitable inquests.
“When you’ve got Cristiano on the pitch, you’ve always got a chance,” the Norwegian stated.”Seriously, he’s so so good in entrance of objective. Its an enormous outcome for the workforce and for the spirit of the workforce,” he added.
anchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second objective with Diogo Dalot. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)
United had fallen a objective behind to Paco Alcacer’s 53rd- minute opener earlier than drawing stage with an excellent volley from Alex Telles however failing to take advantage of the momentum shift. After three defeats of their final 4 video games, together with the loss in Bern to Young Boys within the group opener, United may ill-afford one other slip-up. But for lengthy stretches of the sport an upset regarded very a lot on the playing cards and had the guests been sharper in entrance of objective, the competition may need been over by the break.
Villarreal had overwhelmed Solskjaer’s workforce on penalties in final season’s Europa League last and Unai Emery’s facet’s wonderful organisation and skill on the break once more posed issues for a disjointed United.DIFFICULT HALFWith Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw all lacking from the defence, United had been simply opened up within the first half with Diogo Dalot enduring a very troublesome 45 minutes.
Highlights:
Arnaut Danjuma tormented the United proper again and examined David De Gea twice after slicing in from the left flank. Alcacer had a header from a Danjuma cross tipped over by the United keeper and, after a slip-up by Raphael Varane, discovered himself one-on-one with De Gea however fired extensive. After squandering these possibilities, nonetheless, Villarreal took a deserved lead when a counter-attack was completed off by Alcacer who turned in Danjuma’s low cross.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the match with supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)
United struck again seven minutes later with a cleverly labored free kick as Bruno Fernandes chipped the ball deep to Telles on the left and the Brazilian fired residence an ideal volley. Edinson Cavani missed a very good likelihood to seize a winner for United, heading extensive on the again submit, and the hosts survived a goalmouth scramble with Boulaye Dia going shut for Villarreal.
Then, deep into stoppage time, substitute Fred crossed from the left and Ronaldo headed to Jesse Lingard who fed the ball again for the Portuguese to drive residence. Old Trafford erupted in aid and pleasure and Ronaldo picked up a yellow card for ripping off his shirt and throwing it into the gang in his 178th Champions League match. Atalanta prime the group standings with 4 factors, one forward of Young Boys and United.
Villarreal are backside with one level after a merciless finish to the match.”We’re irritated. The sport was principally over, we simply wanted to see it out and we didn’t. We have to study from this. We had been impeccable earlier than that, taking the lead, creating possibilities, being higher than Man United at Old Trafford,” defender Pau Torres stated.
