Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted as Cristiano Ronaldo seals comeback over Atalanta

Manchester United v Atalanta – UEFA Champions League – Group F – Old Trafford
(Image credit: Martin Rickett)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted by matchwinner Cristiano Ronaldo’s overall impact as Manchester United roared back to beat Atalanta on a night when poor defending threatened to cost them.

The Old Trafford giants were subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to Wednesday’s Champions League group game after Leicester all too easily beat them 4-2 on Saturday.

United were facing a fifth loss in eight matches when Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral capitalised on lax defending to give Atalanta a two-goal lead, leading some fans at Old Trafford to jeer at half-time.

But Solskjaer’s side have shown their ability to fight back time and time again, with Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire scoring before Ronaldo headed home to make it 3-2 at the death.

“That’s football,” said Solskjaer when asked about costly first-half errors being followed by a storming comeback.

“First half I thought we played some good stuff. Our finishing wasn’t good enough.

“They had two chances and in those two moments, yes, we switched off and we conceded two easy goals. Then in the second half David (De Gea) makes two fantastic saves.

Manchester United v Atalanta – UEFA Champions League – Group F – Old Trafford

Harry Maguire was on target with United’s second goal (Martin Rickett/PA)

“The difference in performances is not that great and that’s what decides the outcome – it’s the quality and the quality of the finishes we had.

“The second half was much better than the first because we created many chances in the first half as well.

“But I can understand why people who don’t really watch every game see the inconsistency and within that game of course going 2-0 down it looks really bad. But the performance wasn’t 2-0 down worthy and that was the message at half-time.

“Keep going like this, just add more quality in your finishing, get an extra pass off and of course make sure we don’t concede a goal.”

United’s defensive drama is nothing new – this was the 19th time in 20 matches they failed to keep a clean sheet – nor was Ronaldo proving the hero.

Manchester United v Atalanta – UEFA Champions League – Group F – Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo’s role at Manchester United has come under scrutiny but he answered his criticis with the winning goal (Martin Rickett/PA)

The Portuguese’s role has come under scrutiny of late but Solskjaer was delighted with his former team-mate’s display.

“I was really, really pleased with how he led the line,” the United boss said.

“As a centre forward we asked him to run the channels, drop in, press more because we’re at home, of course. We want to get the crowd behind us.

“Even he was down inside his own six-yard box towards the end defending, you could see him sprinting. He did everything a centre forward should be doing, leading the line and defending. And of course the goal is just what he does better than most.”

United are now preparing for Sunday’s mouth-watering Premier League encounter with rivals Liverpool – a match Rashford needs assessing before having received a dead leg.

“I don’t know,” Solskjaer said of his availability for the weekend. “I hope so and I think so. It’s a dead leg and sometimes that can take longer than what you want but if we treat it well he should be OK.“

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was understandably frustrated to leave Old Trafford having been in control at the break.

“Against this team, one moment is enough to change things,” he said. “I think that had we scored a third – and we went close – we could have won.

“We were missing a few players, but those who played did well. We knew United were strong. We learn from these matches, but at some point we want to stop learning and do more.”

Read more
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's recent defeat against Crystal Palace
'Last couple of games I watched Manchester United's warm-up and it fried my brain. C’mon, it’s a warm-up! Life is sucked out of footballers today' Manchester United icon SLAMS Ruben Amorim's tactics
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on March 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool have already won one of 'three finals' - with two more to come
Chelsea's English defender #06 Levi Colwill (C) celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on February 25, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
How Chelsea’s unshakable team spirit is shining through despite off-field chaos
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is desperate to improve the left-hand side of his team
‘Home truths needed to be spoken at Manchester United and Ruben Amorim has been brave enough to do that – the way he’s dealt with Marcus Rashford has been correct’ Former Red Devils star praises new boss
Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after his deflected shot makes it 2-1 during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 3, 2025
Stamford Bridge’s volume can help Chelsea secure the Champions League football they crave and need
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the UEFA Nations League trophy after Portugal's win over the Netherlands in the final in June 2019.
'Cristiano Ronaldo is a man of football, I think he would have a massive impact if he joined Manchester United in some capacity when he decides to retire': CR7 tipped for shock Manchester United behind-the-scenes role
Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed