Last update on.
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo made a record 178th appearance at the Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo scored an injury time winner as Manchester United beat Villarreal in an exciting Champions League Group F match.
After another disappointing United performance, the Europa League final looked set for a draw. However, Ronaldo, the summer signing, sparked jubilant scenes at Old Trafford when he scored from Jesse Lingard’s layoff.
Unai Emery, the visiting manager, will wonder why his team did not win all three points.
United started brightly with Bruno Fernandes scoring and Ronaldo failing to score with a header in seven minutes.
Villarreal was in charge after the match, but they couldn't score in the first half. They created chances after chances.
United goalkeeper David de Gea made crucial reflex saves to deny Arnaut and Paco Danjuma, as well as thwarting Yeremi pino.
When Raphael Varane misjudged a bounce of the ball, Alcacer, Striker, should have scored. However, he dragged his shot wide and Alberto Moreno (and Pino) both leapt over from promising positions.
They did manage to break the deadlock in the second period when Danjuma got in behind the goal and pulled the ball back for Alcacer, who converted from close range.
United were struggling to make inroads, but Alex Telles' genius moment saw them equalize by hitting a first-time volley 20 yards from the bottom corner.
Ronaldo's win means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side get their first win. Young Boys was tied 1-0 by Atalanta to take the top spot.
Ronaldo saves Man Utd
Ronaldo was brought back from Juventus in August to celebrate the occasion. He left it too late to deliver his most memorable moment since his return at Old Trafford.
United looked set to lose their third consecutive game. They had been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by West Ham last Wednesday and were beaten by Aston Villa on Saturday in a limp performance. But the Portuguese superstar had other plans.
Ronaldo, who was making his 178th appearance at the Champions League, is the most successful player in the competition. He coolly converted his fifth goal in the 95th minute to make it five goals.
As the goal was scored, the home fans erupted, with Ronaldo running into the corner and ripping his shirt off, throwing it in the air, in celebration.
The stadium was packed long after the end of full-time. Fans remained there to sing "Viva Ronaldo" and serenade their returning hero.
Man Utd is saved by a moment of brilliance
Alex Telles scored his first goal in Manchester United's history, just before Cristiano Ronaldo's win.
Although they did manage to collect three points, Solskjaer looked like they were merely covering up the flaws. They failed again to find any cohesion in their pitch's final third.
Ronaldo, Fernandes and Mason Greenwood started in front a large crowd. However, there is little connection between the frontline of attacking talent.
Fernandes missed a shot, and Edinson Cavani substitute somehow shot wide at the far end with a net free.
As Villarreal broke the deadlock at 53 minutes, the crowd became increasingly disillusioned. Alcacer slipped in just a few yards away.
Gary Neville, a former United captain and television pundit, stated after the Villa loss that Solksjaer's team were "delivering moments", but these moments won't work for you in some games.
Telles's smashing of volley and Ronaldo winning brought joy to the occasion. However, questions remain about whether Solskjaer has a plan or if he relies too heavily on individual inspiration to win games.
After Boulaye Dia, the frontman of United, almost came in late, Ronaldo made it all worthwhile by delivering another memorable Champions League moment.
Player of the match Danjuma Danjuma, with an average 7.40 Man United Manchester United Manchester United
Villarreal Villarreal Villarreal Manchester United Avg Squad number 14 Player name Lingard Average rating 7.00 Squad number 1 Player name de Gea Average rating 6.81 Squad number 21 Player name Cavani Average rating 6.52 Squad number 7 Player name Cristiano Ronaldo Average rating 6.37 Squad number 31 Player name Matic Average rating 5.73 Squad number 27 Player name Alex Telles Average rating 5.64 Squad number 18 Player name Bruno Fernandes Average rating 5.43 Squad number 17 Player name Fred Average rating 5.40 Squad number 19 Player name Varane Average rating 5.23 Squad number 25 Player name Sancho Average rating 5.04 Squad number 39 Player name McTominay Average rating 5.02 Squad number 11 Player name Greenwood Average rating 5.00 Squad number 2 Player name Lindelf Average rating 4.86 Squad number 6 Player name Pogba Average rating 4.83 Squad number 20 Player name Diogo Dalot Average rating 4.26 Villarreal Avg Squad number 15 Player name Danjuma Average rating 7.40 Squad number 9 Player name Paco Alccer Average rating 6.99 Squad number 4 Player name Torres Average rating 6.87 Squad number 6 Player name Capoue Average rating 6.85 Squad number 18 Player name Moreno Average rating 6.83 Squad number 5 Player name Parejo Average rating 6.80 Squad number 21 Player name Pino Average rating 6.77 Squad number 14 Player name Manu Trigueros Average rating 6.75 Squad number 8 Player name Foyth Average rating 6.75 Squad number 3 Player name Albiol Average rating 6.74 Squad number 13 Player name Rulli Average rating 6.59 Squad number 12 Player name Estupin Average rating 6.29 Squad number 16 Player name Dia Average rating 6.23 Squad number 20 Player name Pea Average rating 6.12 Squad number 23 Player name Moi Gmez Average rating 6.11 Squad number 22 Player name Mandi Average rating 6.07
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text Line-ups Man Utd Formation 4-2-3-1 1 de Gea 20 Dalot 2 Lindelf 19 Varane 27 Telles 6 Pogba 39 McTominay 11 Greenwood 18 Bruno Fernandes 25 Sancho 7 Cristiano Ronaldo 1 de Gea
20 Dalot
2 Lindelf
19 Varane
27 Telles Booked in 71mins Fred Substituted in at 89' Minutes
6 Pogba substituted for Cavani at 75'minutes
39 McTominay
11 Greenwood Booked at 68mins Substituted for Lingard at 89' minutes
18 Bruno Fernandes
25 Sancho substituted for Matic at 75'minutes
7 Cristiano Ronaldo Booked for 90 minutes Substitutes 3 Bailly
8 Mata
9 Martial
14 Lingard
17 Fred
21 Cavani
22 Heaton
26 Henderson
31 Matic
34 van de Beek
36 Elanga Villarreal Formation 4-3-3 13 Rulli 8 Foyth 3 Albiol 4 Torres 18 Moreno 5 Parejo 6 Capoue 14 Trigueros Muoz 21 Pino 9 Alccer 15 Danjuma 13 Rulli
8 Foyth
3 Albiol Booked in 68mins Substituted by Mandi in 73' minutes
4 Torres
18 Moreno Booked in 59mins. Pea substituted at 73'. Booked in 90mins
5 Parejo
6 Capoue
14 Trigueros Muoz substituted for Estupin at the 61' minute
21 Pino Booked in 67mins. Substituted by Gmez Bardonado in 73' minutes
9 Alccer Substituted Dia at 58' Minutes
15 Danjuma Substitutes 1 Asenjo
2 Prez Martnez
10 Iborra
12 Estupin
16 Dia
20 Peas
22 Mandi
23 Gmez Bardonado
24 Pedraza
28 Iosifov
35 Jrgensen Referee: Felix Zwayer Attendance: 73,130 Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, Manchester United 2, Villarreal 1. Full Time Second half ends, Manchester United 2, Villarreal Booking Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), is given the yellow card for excessive celebration. Goal! Goal! Manchester United 2, Villarreal 1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), right footed shot, from a difficult angle on right to the bottom right corner. Jesse Lingard assisted. Post update Foul by Edinson (Manchester United). Post update Etienne Capoue, (Villarreal), wins a free kick at the defensive end. Post update Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), wins a free kick at the defensive end. Pervis Estupin (Villarreal) Post update Foul Post update: Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), left footed shot from centre box. Saved in top right corner Cristiano Ronaldo assisted with a cross. Post update Hand ball by Etienne Capeoue (Villarreal). Post update: Attempt saved. Scott McTominay (Manchester United), left footed shot, from the centre box. The goal is saved in the upper right corner. Rubn Pea (Villarreal), is given the yellow card. Update: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United), wins a free kick during the attacking half. Post update Foul by Rubnpea (Villarreal). Substitution Substitution Manchester United. Jesse Lingard replaces Mason Greenwood. Substitution Substitution, Manchester United. Fred replaces Alex Telles. Update: Attempt blocked. Juan Foyth (Villarreal), right footed shot from right side box is blocked Post update Corner, Villarreal. Alex Telles has consented. Post-update Attempt blocked Boulaye Dia (Villarreal), left footed shot, from the right side the six yard box. Post-update: Attempt saved. Boulaye Dia (Villarreal), with an attempt from in the middle of the box, is saved in the goal's centre. Page 1 of 5 Rewind Previous Navigate to Next Navigate To The Last Page Forward
