Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compares Cristiano Ronaldo to Michael Jordan
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Cristiano Ronaldo to legendary basketball player Michael Jordan after the Manchester United star answered the call again for his team with a late goal to secure a vital 2-2 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero of the night once again as Manchester United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 away to Atalanta. The 36-year-old rose to the occasion in Bergamo as he saved under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side from defeat. Ronaldo had already levelled once at the Gewiss Stadium, where Josip Ilicic’s strike went underneath David De Gea at the start of a first half that ended with the forward-firing home from Bruno Fernandes’ exceptional backheel.
Duvan Zapata looked to have sealed Atalanta victory when his strike was awarded after an interminable VAR review, but United’s star scored at the death to seal a 2-2 draw. The late goal saved the blushes of his teammates after a poor, error-ridden display – hardly the response Solskjaer wanted to the 3-0 win at Tottenham, especially with Manchester City coming to Old Trafford.
But, like so many times before, United found a way to fight back and stay top of Group F heading into the final two fixtures. Solskjaer stuck with the three-man defence that secured a rare shutout at Spurs and his team began brightly, with Scott McTominay seeing an early snapshot deflect off Jose Luis Palomino and onto the post.
But Atalanta are unflinching against star names and quickly settled, breaking the deadlock after just 12 minutes. Zapata kept his cool after being put through by Remo Freuler and crossed for Ilicic to hit a low, first-time strike that squirmed underneath De Gea. The goal was ratified after a VAR check. It was an all too familiar setback for United, although they have shown their ability to hit back time and time again under Solskjaer.
Illicic (12′), Ronaldo (45’+1′, 90’+1′), Zapata (56′)
