Cristiano Ronaldo played late in both the first and second halves, drawing 2-2 with Atalanta, who led twice with goals from Josip Ilysic and Duwan Zapata; the combined leaders of Group F will clash in a key clash at Villarreal
Cristiano Ronaldo's late volley saved United a run for a run at Atalanta
Cristiano Ronaldo saved United again in the Champions League as his equaliser in injury time dragged them to Atalanta to a 2-2 draw.
The 36-year-old's two magical moments, his goals have now earned United 5 of their seven Champions League points, a point they barely deserve to remain at the top of the F group, and the ability to beat Villarreal in the following game.
United's fond memories of Saturday's 3-0 win over Tottenham were ousted in 12 minutes when Josip Ilysic shot from Duwan Zapata's cross to Atlanta, aided by David De Gea's relatively straightforward efforts against the Slovenian.
When Bruno Fernandez's perfect heel allowed Ronaldo to touch the ball and beat Juan Musso from eight yards, a wonderful one-touch move pulled United to the level at the end of the familiar tedious first half.
Ole Gunnar Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side looked sharper after half-time but found themselves behind again 11 minutes after the start of the second quarter.
The ball behind Jose Palomino blocked United's defence and found Zapata right next to him, but, after beating De Gea on his near post, he had to wait more than two minutes for a var review to overturn the flag originally raised by the referee.
United pushed but couldn't find a way to test Musso until Ronaldo did better in injury time, seeing the veteran find the bottom corner with a 20-yard volley, resulting in another spectacular final-run result, but for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players, more questions than answers were asked. team.
Ronaldo dragged United into the round of 16 with a crucial double
The performance at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday supported United's performance in Bergamo to be even more curious, with early signs being good as Scott McTominay's deflection strike bounced off the woodwork four minutes later.
But United's defence was so tight at the weekend that it took just 12 minutes to break as Scott McTominay's interception attempt turned into Zapata's path and, after returning from Aaron Wan-Bissaka to check, he was ready for Irisic, who shot into De Gea's body and was tied up by the goalkeeper's clumsy save and scored into the corner.
Ronaldo's third consecutive European match proved United's save
Zapata issued a warning warning that his pace would later pose a danger when he was hit behind him by a long ball from David Zapa Costa, who punched the ball out with Illisic in the space of the far post, not long before United faced more defensive problems due to Rafael Varane being forced off the field due to a hamstring injury.
As the alarm bells rang out and as the half-times approached, United resumed typing and the wonderful moments of the three United strikers flattened them. Fernandez, Ronaldo and Mason Greenwood each touched the ball and Fernandez passed the ball to Ronaldo to equalize.
After the striker ran to the back of Palomino's ball and beat De Gea from 12 yards, the other impressive Eric Bailly lost Zapata and United looked lucky to have escaped, with the offside flag interrupting the striker's celebrations.
Duwan Zapata's goal was his seventh of the season
But a two-minute, six-second var review ruled he was kicked by Harry Maguire on the sidelines and their relief was short-lived.
From there, Atalanta was expecting victory, with Musso barely being tested by United in the final half hour of the game.
But Ronaldo, who has scored his last goal in the first two Champions League games away from home, has other ideas. Greenwood lifted a loose ball into his path from the edge of the penalty area and the 36-year-old caught the ball with typical precision, placed the ball inside the far post and saved United in the event of death.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "It was a tense game with flaws on both sides. Both of their goals were very close to offside. I think the first one, which is very close to the players who interfered with David's point of view, for the second it is very close.
"But Cristiano is incredible. That's what he did. If you want to get stuck at the last minute and it's a tough chance, it's him.
"He kept his eyes on the ball and his volleying technique was incredible. That's football. No one can question the character of these players because they didn't give up, they didn't give up, they kept going. ”
Ronaldo is the oldest player in the Europa League to score more than two goals in a single game for United
At the end of another match, Ronaldo offered little help in the open game, leaving his name with two more goals.
He could have spent 89 minutes out of 90 without any impact on the game, still provided two of the most critical moments and finished such a brilliant finish at the end of any half.
If United advance to the round of 16 (which looks increasingly likely), they are very grateful for their 7th place. Without him, their hopes would have been dashed long ago.
Ronaldo celebrated his excellent late intervention
"It's another Polyfira, it just covers the cracks, but that's the result. They tie and they will qualify.
"If they lose and are beaten by Villarreal, they have actually withdrawn from the game. Now you would expect them to qualify.
"As long as you put him (Ronaldo) on the pitch, you have a chance. They don't look like they're scoring on a Month's Sunday, and then he's going to do what he's done. ”
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated scoring his first goal against Atalanta
Atalanta won just one of their six games against England side in the Champions League (d2 l3) and scored a victory in Liverpool's game last season.
Only Norwich (28) and Leicester City (25) have conceded more goals than Manchester United (23) in all premier league teams this season.
United have conceded first in nine of their 14 Champions League games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2 wins and 1 loss in the first game).
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 127 goals (303 games) in all Of United's matches, one more than his current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has registered with the Red Devils (126 in 366 games).
Cristiano Ronaldo (36) is the oldest player in the Europa League to score more than two goals in a single game for United.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in the Champions League four times in a row since Van Nistruo (nine consecutive appearances) in April 2003.
Since his debut at Manchester United in February 2020, Bruno Fernandes has scored more goals directly in all competitions than any other Premier League player (77-44 goals, 33 assists).
Josep Ilysic scored the most Champions League goals for Atalanta (7), while Duwan Zapata is now ahead of their assists in the match (5).