An energized Cristiano Ronaldo made a last charge and grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United came desperately from behind to secure a timely, and most fortunate, 2-1 Champions League Group F win over Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Portuguese last-gasp blow was delivered just in time to save his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s skin from another Champions League defeat that would have added to his dismal record as it stands appallingly. Another loss would have made it 8 defeats out of 12 Champions League matches for the Norwegian. And, obviously, after three defeats in their last four games, including the shocking loss in Bern to Young Boys in the recent group opener, Solskjaer could ill-afford another slip-up.
“When you’ve got Cristiano on the pitch, you’ve always got a chance,” the Norwegian said post-match.
“Seriously, he’s so so good in front of goal. Its a massive result for the team and for the spirit of the team,” he added.
United fell a goal behind Paco Alcacer’s 53rd- minute opener but then drew level with a volley from Alex Telles but failed to press on to make the most of the momentum shift. An imminent upset looked very much on the cards for long stretches of the game and would have been the final outcome had the visitors been sharper in front of goal.
Villarreal overcame Solskjaer’s team on penalties in last season’s Europa League final and Unai Emery’s side displayed excellent organisation and ability on the break to pose problems for a disjointed United.
After squandering numerous chances, Villarreal finally took a deserved lead when a counter-attack was finished off by Alcacer who turned in Danjuma’s low cross.
United struck back seven minutes later with a well-worked out free kick as Bruno Fernandes chipped the ball deep to Telles on the left and the Brazilian fired home a perfect volley.
Brazilian hitman Edinson Cavani missed a good chance to grab a winner for United, heading wide at the back post, and the hosts survived a goal-mouth scramble with Boulaye Dia going close for Villarreal.
Then, as the game lapsed into stoppage time, substitute Fred sent a cross from the left and Ronaldo headed to Jesse Lingard who fed the ball back for the Portuguese to drive home. The strike immeidately sent the nervy Old Trafford faithful into rapturous dissonance and Ronaldo has since thanked the fans for all their undivided support.
“This is why I come back,” he told BT Sport. “Because I missed this club a lot. I made history at this club and I want to do it again.
“I have to say thank you to all of them [the fans], not only for me, but to push the team which will be very important, especially this season.”
Realistically, United would have been languishing at the bottom of Group F if they hadn’t won but Ronaldo is now exuding confidence they will advance to the knock-out stages. Hopefully he is right about his premonition.
He added: “If we not [get] three points today it will be tough to go through to the next stage but now everything is possible, everything is open and we believe we go through.
Ronaldo picked up a yellow card for ripping off his shirt in celebration and throwing it into the crowd in his 178th Champions League match.
Atalanta top the group standings with four points, one ahead of Young Boys and United. Villarreal are bottom with one point after the painful end to the match.