Cristiano Ronaldo’s late winner earned Manchester United a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as a resilient Villarreal side were denied a deserved Champions League point.
Prior to the Europa League final which Villarreal won on penalties, four Champions League meetings produced exactly zero goals, with goalless draws seeing the two sides share the points in the group stages in both 2005 and 2008.
On this occasion, David de Gea was the reason why the deadlock was not broken in the first half at Old Trafford, but Villarreal eventually took the lead in the 53rd minute through Paco Alcacer.
The goal woke United up, with Alex Telles’ superb volley finding the far corner before Ronaldo netted a late, late winner in the 95th minute.
Here we pick out five United performances on a night where they were largely outplayed, but came away with all three points…
David de Gea – 9
After an early tester from Arnaut Danjuma, De Gea was forced to deny Villarreal’s No 15 for a second time when diving low to his left to make a stunning stop.
De Gea made another two superb saves before half-time, keeping out Paco Alcacer’s header and denying Yeremi Pino from close range.
Eight minutes into the second half, De Gea was beaten, but he was not to blame as Alcacer prodded home from Danjuma’s cross.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Fernandes flashed an early shot over with United in the ascendancy, but the opportunities dried up in the first half as the hosts failed to attack with any cohesion.
A sloppy misplaced pass which had Victor Lindelof running back somewhat summed up Fernandes’ opening 45 minutes.
When United trailed, Fernandes produced their first chance to equalise, but from distance his shot sailed wide.
Moments later, Fernandes teed up Telles for the leveller, lofting a free-kick from out wide towards the edge of the area and allowing the United left-back to do the rest.
Diogo Dalot – 4
“He’s had a bit of a nightmare,” Michael Owen said at half-time on BT Sport, with Dalot facing wave after wave of Villarreal attacks as the visitors turned to Danjuma to create their opportunities.
Owen Hargreaves added: “He’s got the better of Dalot. Danjuma is the biggest threat and always looks like he’s going to make something happen.”
Indeed, Danjuma gave Dalot a torrid time, and little changed after the break as the Villarreal winger got an assist when losing his opponent and picking out Alcacer.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7
In what was a record 178th Champions League appearance, this was a largely ineffective display from the 36-year-old… until the 95th minute.
On the verge of drawing a blank the night after Lionel Messi’s moment of magic, Ronaldo popped up with the vital contribution to make it five goals in five games.
Earlier, Ronaldo had failed to pick out Sancho early on before a pointless pirouette resulted in Villarreal winning back possession. He then headed over his best opportunity of the half.
Inevitably the cameras fell on him after Villarreal’s goal, and he was seen trying to rally his team-mates after the visitors deservedly took the lead.
Ronaldo watched on as Telles equalised, and it was looking to be a quiet night for the Portugal forward, whose presence is seemingly giving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as many problems as it is solutions.
However, after switching to the left when Edinson Cavani was subbed on with 15 minutes to go, he of course surfaced on the right and was perfectly placed to squeeze in the winner in stoppage time.
Raphael Varane – 5
After a vital interception, Varane almost gifted Villarreal the opening goal, but somehow Alcacer flashed a shot wide when bearing down on goal.
It proved to be a busy half for Varane and Victor Lindelof at the back, and Harry Maguire’s absence was keenly felt with the pair not quite on the save wavelength at times.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3une5LR
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