THANK CRIST
Ronaldo rides to the rescue with last-gasp United winner
CRISTIANO RONALDO saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Fergie Time. With Manchester United seemingly lurching towards another dispiriting result, the returning hero scored in the last minute of added time to ease the pressure on manager Solskjaer. A third successive home game without a win would have been unthinkable and fuelled a growing mutiny among fans. Villarreal, conquerors of United in a marathon penalty shootout in last season’s Europa League final, should have been out of sight by halftime, such was the ease with which they opened up the hosts.
David de Gea kept United in the game with a succession of fine saves, and when Villarreal deservedly went ahead, it took an audaciously executed volley from Alex Telles and Ronaldo’s finish from a tight angle to snatch the points.
But relying on a late rescue act, against a side 11th in La Liga, shows where United are right now in terms of form and confidence, after exiting the Carabao Cup to West Ham and losing in the Premier League to Aston Villa, both at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer claimed this was not a “must-win” game but, having lost their Group F opener at Young Boys, only a victory would suffice.
The three points will be a huge boost to United’s hopes of making the last 16, with a double-header against Atalanta coming up.
United had Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw out injured, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting a two-match ban following his red card against Young Boys. But the hosts could not blame those enforced absences for another substandard display.
The visitors were presented with a glorious chance to open the scoring after four minutes, Arnaut Danjuma put through on goal, but sending his effort straight at De Gea.
Danjuma came close again three minutes later, cutting inside onto his right foot, De Gea producing a superb save at full-stretch to his left to turn away the goal-bound effort.
The keeper came to United’s rescue
again in the 17th minute, tipping a fine glancing header over from Paco Alcacer, after Danjuma had beaten Diogo Dalot to send in the delivery.
A third chance came the way of the Europa League champions moments later, ex-Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno shooting over after United were slow to react to a cleverly-worked corner.
Danjuma continued to torment Dalot, who had no answer to his opponent’s pace and trickery. United’s lack of a replacement right-back on the bench meant there would be no respite for Dalot.
It amounted to a chastening opening for United and there was no let-up, Raphael Varane allowing Alcacer to break free on the half-hour, but he dragged his shot wide. De Gea was called into action again before the break, diving low to his right to keep out a shot from Yeremi Pino, as United’s defence was once again exposed with ease.
Villarreal went ahead in the 53rd minute, Danjuma getting the better of Dalot and crossing for Alcacer, who turned the ball in with a first-time finish.
United levelled on the hour, Telles executing an unstoppable volley from a cleverly-worked free-kick from Bruno Fernandes.
And Ronaldo grabbed the winner five minutes into added time. From a Fred cross, Ronaldo headed the ball on for Jesse Lingard. His lay-off allowed the Portugal striker to shoot from a tight angle, leading to wild scenes of celebration at Old Trafford.