Man Utd 3-2 Atalanta: Ronaldo completes crazy comeback

 

Manchester United came from 2-0 down at half-time to defeat Atalanta 3-2 in a crazy Champions League match at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made three changes for the match. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were replaced by Fred and Scott McTominay after Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Leicester.

Also, Marcus Rashford made his first United start since May’s Europa League final in place of Jadon Sancho.

The hosts started with intent but Atalanta were not overawed and opened the scoring 15 minutes in.

A quickly-taken free-kick put the hosts on the back foot, with smart hold up play eventually allowing Davide Zappacosta to cross for Mario Pasalic to direct home. The video assistant referee ratified the goal after checking for offside.

Man Utd fell 2-0 behind to Atalanta in the 28th minute. Teun Koopmeiners sent in a corner from the right and Merih Demiral rose above Luke Shaw to head home before Harry Maguire could come to his aid.

United should have pulled one back before the break. A fine Bruno Fernandes flick put Fred in, who kept his composure and cut only to bend wide from close range.

Rashford had another chance in first-half stoppage time but saw an effort clip the crossbar, with the half-time whistle greeted by a smattering of boos.

READ ALSO Rodgers hails Iheanacho, teammates over Spartak comeback

Solskjaer’s men returned strongly from the break and pulled one back in the 53rd minute. Fernandes played a lovely ball through to Rashford, who opened his body up before slotting a right-footed shot home from a tight angle.

Scott McTominay hit a post as United continued to probe but Atalanta remained a threat, with David De Gea forced to produce a superb double save to deny substitutes Duvan Zapata and Ruslan Malinovskyi.