How Manchester United survived group stage UCL exit

By Soibi-Versatile

Manchester United have confirmed their top spot status in this year’s edition of the Uefa Champions league. United had beaten Villarreal 2-0 a fortnight ago to seal their place in the last 16 after Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho gave them the goals. Villarreal who are placed second have a crunch game against Atlanta who are third a point below Villarreal.

The group which was labelled as the group of death began with a shock as United were beaten 2-1 by Young Boys at Switzerland. United began the game strongly as Bruno Fernandez found his country man Cristiano Ronaldo who fired home from about 12 yards to give his side a lead. However a clumsy challenge by United’s right back Aaron Wan- Bissaka meant they had to play the remaining 60 minutes of the game with ten men.

A spirited Young Boys side fought back and got one goal and in the dying seconds of the game scored the winner after Jesse Lingard gave a back pass which did not reach his goalie David De Gea.

United then faced Villarreal at home and after conceeding in the second half got an equalizer through Alex Telles and with the game almost ending in a draw, a very quiet Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner few seconds to the end to send Manchester United upwards on the table.

Manchester United who were facing tough times in the league with poor results had to face Atlanta at Old Trafford. Atlanta took a two goal lead before United sprang up with determination in the second half to level with goals from injury returnee Marcus Rashford and then Captain Harry McGuire. United through a brilliant header from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 78th minute won the game to give Manchester United six points from 3 games.

The return leg in Italy had similar signs as Atlanta took the lead early on but Fernandez and Ronaldo combined well for the former Juventus striker to score again. United then conceeded another goal and with the game already dead and buried Cristiano Ronaldo showed his clutch qualities once again to volley in an equalizer in the 91st minute. That goal changed the situation for the red devils in the competition.

The Red devils had a torrid campaign last year under former manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and were relegated into the Europa League however have experienced a twist of fate this year despite having the odds against them once again.

United who had been unconvincing and were favourites to drop into the Europa League for a second season ended the group phase top with 11 points after a fringe Manchester United side were held at Old Trafford yesterday.

The Champions league is Cristiano Ronaldo’s competition having won it more times than any player. The Portuguese impact for the club since his return has been dramatic and it’s no wonder they are poised to carry on further in the competition this season better than in previous years

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