Never in doubt!
Manchester United produced a classic, climb off the canvas comeback to turn a thrilling Group F encounter on its head and go top of the section on match day three.
Having fallen 2-0 behind by the break despite a hatful of missed chances, Marcus Rashford scored again before captain Harry Maguire equalised to set the stage for that man Cristiano Ronaldo to head in the winner. In truth, United battered the Italian side from the first minute and should have been out of sight by half-time.
Here is how each Red rated on a heart-stopping night at Old Trafford. Viva Ronaldo!
David de Gea – 7
Nothing he could do about either goal but his magnificent double save at 1-2 kept United in the tie. How pivotal it proved to be.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Contributed little at either end in the first half but caught the eye with a series of stirring runs forward in the second half onslaught. Got better as the tie went on.
Harry Maguire – 6
Showed leadership and courage in the second half and popped up with a captain’s goal to equalise. Could have perhaps done more on the Mario Pasalic opener
Victor Lindelof – 5
Looked like a third choice centre-back. Got bullied by Muriel and was spun far too often. A below slump in form for the Swede
Luke Shaw – 7
Caught out from the corner for the second goal but redeemed himself with a worldie of a cross for Ronaldo’s coup de grace.
Scott McTominay – 5
Thumped the post at 2-1 but couldn’t get near Pasalic and was hooked after an hour as United chased the game
Fred – 6
Played with his usual insatiable energy, tested Juan Musso and should have scored just before half-time. His passing was sloppy but had one of his better games
Mason Greenwood – 5
Pressed high and well early but faded to the fringes as the Reds came on strong. The 20-year-old has been our best player so far this season but struggled here
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Poor in the first half but came alive, like so many, after half-time. Set up Rashford with a filthy pass to start the revival and put the cross in from which his skipper equalised. Even when not as his best, his impact was seminal.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Looked lively and back to full fitness but squandered two good chances and struck the bar when he should have scored. Came off with a knock after a nice finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8
Created chances for Fred and Rashford and should have scored himself before he was there to meet Shaw’s cross. A player made for nights like this. Viva Ronaldo!
Substitutes:
Edinson Cavani (for Rashford 66) – 6
Relentless work rate, ran his socks off and might claim an assist for Maguire as he got a nudge on Fernandes cross.
Paul Pogba (for McTominay 66) – 8
Excellent when he came on. Pushed Atalanta back, pressed, broke the lines and gave the teams and fans a lift
Jadon Sancho (for Greenwood 73) – 6
Showed glimpses again with some darting runs in behind
Nemanja Matic (for Fred 88) – N/A
Brought on to sit in midfield and see the game out. No rating.
