Man Utd 3-2 Atalanta: Player ratings as Ronaldo completes United comeback
Man Utd came from behind to take control of their Champions League group with an exhilarating 3-2 victory over Atalanta at Old Trafford.
The hosts started brightly, moving the ball with a purpose which belied the nature of their weekend defeat Leicester. Marcus Rashford, whose goalscoring return at the King Power Stadium was rewarded with a starting berth, was sent through inside two minutes after a lovely sweeping move.
However, United were suckerpunched just 14 minutes in. A quick free-kick from Atalanta sent Davide Zappacosta into a dangerous area inside the penalty area and his cut-back was tapped home by Mario Pasalic.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side then doubled their advantage 13 minutes later. Teun Koopmeiners whipped a delicious corner into the area before Merih Demiral brushed off the attentions of Scott McTominay to power his header beyond David de Gea.
There were audible jeers from the Old Trafford crowd as United struggled to come to terms with scoreline. Fred and Rashford then both spurned glorious chances before the interval.
Predictably, the home side came out in the second half with renewed vigour, and they were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Bruno Fernandes found Rashford with a clever round-the-corner pass and the England international stroked his effort beyond Juan Musso.
Scott McTominay then came within inches of levelling the contest when he struck the post, before United's pressure paid off 15 minutes from time when Harry Maguire slammed home at the back post following Fernandes' cross.
And Solskjaer's side weren't done there. In similar vein to his late winner against Villarreal in the previous matchday, Cristiano Ronaldo bulleted Man Utd ahead from Luke Shaw's cross nine minutes from time to spark scenes of jubilation inside Old Trafford.
Here's how Man Utd rated.
Man Utd player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
David de Gea (GK) - 6/10 - Could do little to prevent either Atalanta goal, and made a sublime double save from Duvan Zapata and Ruslan Malinovskiy in the second half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 5/10 - Barely offered an attacking threat in the final third, but kept Joakim Maehle relatively quiet going in the opposite direction.
Harry Maguire (CB) - 7/10 - Didn't cover himself in glory for Demiral's headed goal, but he recovered his composure in the second period, and he was rewarded with a crucial equaliser.
Victor Lindelof (CB) - 6/10 - Stifled the threat of Luis Muriel, often matching the Colombian stride-for-stride on the occasions he was sent in behind.
Luke Shaw (LB) - 6/10 - Lacked awareness to allow Zappacosta to ghost round the back of him for Atalanta's opener, but he made amends with his lovely floated cross for Ronaldo's winner.
2. Midfielders
Fred (DM) - 5/10 - Man Utd's two best chances in the first half fell to the Brazilian, but he lacked composure in both instances.
Scott McTominay (DM) - 5/10 - Seemed to wilt as the Old Trafford crowd grew restless in the first half. Could have been stronger to prevent Demiral from being allowed a free jump for his goal.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 8/10 - Diligent defensively and displayed his beautiful array of passes. Sublime pass to send through Rashford for his goal.
3. Forwards
Mason Greenwood (RW) - 5/10 - Didn't manufacture the shooting opportunities which he tends to thrive from, but he linked effectively with those around him.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - 7/10 - Showed some great touches and first time lay-offs, and grabbed the headlines with his supreme headed winner.
Marcus Rashford (LW) - 8/10 - Moved with real energy and enthusiasm, showing great composure to slot his finish past Musso. Merited his start.
4. Substitutes
Paul Pogba (CM) - 6/10 - Introduced to add creativity, but he couldn't weave his magic.
Edinson Cavani (ST) - 6/10 - Clever decision to leave Fernandes' cross which allowed Maguire to equalise.
Jadon Sancho (RW) - N/A
Nemanja Matic (DM) - N/A