Manchester United hosted Villarreal in their second Group F fixture of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a stoppage-time winner after a spectacular Alex Telles equaliser as Manchester United came from behind to secure a fortunate 2-1 victory over Villarreal at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo won the game for United in dramatic fashion on his record-breaking 178th Champions League appearance. The victory gave United their first points of the Champions League campaign, sending them third behind Young Boys and early group F leaders, Atalanta. Villarreal remain bottom of the table with one point.
Manchester United vs Villarreal match analysis
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were all missing from United’s defence. Consequently, the home side were easily opened up on several occasions in the first half. Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot in particular endured a difficult first 45 minutes.
Arnaut Danjuma tormented the United right back and tested David De Gea twice after cutting in from the left flank.
Paco Alcacer had a header from a Danjuma cross tipped over in extraordinary fashion by the United keeper. Later in the half he found himself one-on-one with De Gea after a slip-up by Raphael Varane, but fired wide.
Villarreal squandered big chances in the first half. However, they eventually took a deserved lead. A quick counter-attack was finished off by Alcacer, who turned in Danjuma’s low cross in the 53rd minute.
United responded positively to going down and struck back seven minutes later. A cleverly worked free kick by Bruno Fernandes saw him chip the ball deep to Telles on the left, with the Brazilian producing a moment of magic – firing home with a stunning first-time volley.
Edinson Cavani come on and provided the team with a massive uplift. Although, he missed a good chance to grab a winner for United, heading wide at the back post. The Red Devils then survived a scramble in the box at the other end with Boulaye Dia coming close for Villarreal.
Finally, in the 95th minute, substitute Fred put in a cross from the left, which Ronaldo headed to Jesse Lingard, who then fed the ball back for the Portuguese to score a Fergie time winner for United.
Old Trafford erupted in relief and joy. Ronaldo picked up a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration.
Player ratings out of 10
Man Utd: De Gea (8), Dalot (5), Lindelof (6), Varane (7), Telles (7), McTominay (6), Pogba (7), Fernandes (7), Sancho (6), Greenwood (7), Ronaldo (7).
Subs: Cavani (7), Matic (6), Fred (N/A), Lingard (N/A).
Villarreal: Rulli (6), Albiol (6), Torres (6), Parejo (6), Capoue (7), Foyth (6), Alcacer (7), Trigueros (7), Danjuma (7), A Moreno (7), Pino (7).
Subs: Dia (6), Estupinan (5), Pena (5), Mandi (5), Gomez (6).
Man of the match: David de Gea.
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