Image Courtesy: @ManUtd/Twitter In the match week 3’s Group F encounter, Manchester United took on Italian Club Atalanta, in what was supposed to be a fierce match. Both the teams had had a mixed start to their campaign. Manchester United on one hand with their star-studded lineup was supposed to qualify for the knock-out stages with ease, but they lost their opening encounter against Young Boys and made a come from the back against Villarreal to win their second game, which gave them 3 points from 2 matches. As a result, they were trailing to Atalanta which has remained unbeaten throughout thus far, with a win and a draw under their belt they were the table toppers with 4 points to their name.
The game was a one-sided affair in the first half, as Atalanta not only dominated the possession but also showed better goal-scoring prowess by knocking 2 goals in the opening 30 minutes. Every attack or run they made looked lethal against a somewhat cagy defence of Manchester United. The trio of Greenwood, Ronaldo, and Rashford on the other hand couldn’t retain possession in their opponent’s half. At the end of the first half of the match, Atalanta led the game 2-0.
The second half was started with a bang by Manchester United as Marcus Rashford, who was playing only his second game after returning from the injury, scored a banger from an acute angle to bring his team back in the game in the 53rd minute. The momentum shifted drastically with this, as the Red Devils started getting more aggressive in the attack with their defenders making runs into the box. As a result, a deflected ball fell to the feet of Harry Maguire in the 75th minute and he took a beautiful first-time shot to bring his side level. The finishing touches were provided by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 81st minute, as he scored his trademark header from outside the 6-yard box to seal the win for his team.
He is INEVITABLE 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3hz4h0j9fx
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2021
With these 3 points, Manchester United is now the new Group F leader. They have a 2 point advantage on Atalanta.
What a turnaround 😍😍😍
👏 @MarcusRashford
👏 @HarryMaguire93
👏 @Cristiano #MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/UTKYf1ewag— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2021
