Ronaldo hits back at critics
➤ Forward seals 3-2 win after United booed off at half-time ➤ No one can doubt his work rate now, says Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed Cristiano Ronaldo provided the perfect riposte to his critics after getting Manchester United out of jail on a frenetic night at Old Trafford.
United came from two goals down at half-time to produce an extraordinary 3-2 comeback victory over Atalanta in the Champions League thanks to Ronaldo’s dramatic 81st-minute headed winner.
The win put United in command at the top of Group F and provided a huge shot in the arm ahead of the visit of Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ronaldo’s work rate has come under scrutiny during United’s recent slump in form, but Solskjaer hailed the Portugal forward for leading by example.
“If anyone wants to criticise Ronaldo for attitude and work rate just watch the game today,” the United manager said. “I said make sure we get the next goal and as long as we did not concede the next goal I knew we’d win the game.
“I was really pleased with how he led the line. I said before the game we would use him to run the channels, press in, because we’re at home and want to get the crowd behind us. He was even down inside his own six-yard box, blocking and defending, you could see him sprinting. He did everything a centre-forward does, in leading the line and defending. And the goal is just what he does, he’s better than most.”
Boos reverberated around Old Trafford at half-time when Atalanta took advantage of more defensive disarray from United to lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral. But Solskjaer lauded the reaction of the fans during the second half, when goals from Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire drew United level before Ronaldo’s winner.
“The fans have kept everyone going and gave the players the belief. The singing corner are the best in the world,” Solskjaer said. “There’s some time when you are down as a supporter.
“I thought we played well first half, but two chances, two goals and that has to stop. We’ve got a habit of doing this at this club.
“In the first half we played well, but they never stopped believing and kept going.
“Don’t disrespect the players – I told them they play for Man United and they are the luckiest men in the world because they’re the ones who get to play for Man United and millions of boys and girls would love to do that.”