Cristiano Ronaldo Rescues Manchester United Again With Stunning Late Equaliser Against Atalanta

Manchester United salvaged a vital Champions League point in Atalanta thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double, with the Portuguese superstar making amends for another Harry Maguire error.

Just as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men did in the reverse fixture, they slipped behind within the first 15 minutes of the game, as David de Gea was too easily beaten by a Josip Illcic strike.

United rallied soon after, creating a raft of chances, with the pressure eventually telling.

A wonderful sweeping team move resulted in Bruno Fernandes beautifully teeing up Cristiano Ronaldo, who predictably fired home.

However, parity wouldn't last too long, as, inside the first 10 minutes of the second half, Duvan Zapata latched onto a through ball, managing to turn the ball past De Gea to give Atalanta a crucial advantage.

Initially, the goal was ruled out due to an offside infringement, but on closer inspection, it was a much tighter call than the official had anticipated.

After a lengthy wait, VAR returned the verdict that every United fan was fearing - the goal stood.

Far from the VAR decision itself, much of the fans ire was directed at Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.

The 28-year-old was once again flat-footed as the through-ball looped over his head, with his outstretched late challenge not enough to put Zapata off.

That wasn't the end of proceedings though, as in stoppage time, up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo who unleashed a perfectly directed volley into the corner of the Atalanta net, to earn United a vital point.

Fans couldn't get enough of the 36-year-old strike, noting how he was, once again, saved his manager's skin.

It leaves the red Devils joint top of Group F, with a vital away tie against Villareal still to come.