Cristiano Ronaldo's savage gesture to Atalanta ultras after late Man Utd heroics

Fresh from silencing the Atalanta home crowd with a stunning equaliser for Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a savage gesture to the Italian club's ultras.

Josip Ilicic had put the hosts ahead just 12 minutes in when Red Devils keeper David De Gea allowed his shot to slip under him and into the net.

Raphael Varane was then forced off with injury, forcing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to change systems, though Ronaldo finished off a fine team move to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Though Solskjaer's side started the second half well, errors from Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire allowed Duvan Zapata to break through and put the hosts back ahead.

That goal appeared to be set to condemn United to a third defeat in five games, which would have seen the pressure once again ramp up on Solskjaer.

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Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a savage response to Atalanta fans after scoring Man Utd's equaliser

But with just the five minutes of added time on the clock, Ronaldo once again popped up to rescue his manager.

Mason Greenwood lifted the ball to the Portugal international, who fired a stunning volley into the bottom corner of Juan Musso's goal.

That point could prove crucial, with United now top of their group and needing just three points to qualify for the knockout stages.

The goals were also Ronaldo's fifth and sixth against Atalanta, having played against the Italian club on seven other occasions across his career.

The home crowd gave United a raucous welcome to Italy, an atmosphere Ronaldo will have had some experience of after spending three years at Juventus.

And having scored such a vital goal yet again, Ronaldo was clearly in the mood to have some fun with the Atalanta fans.

As he walked off the pitch, the 36-year-old was spotted waving and blowing a kiss to the supporters sitting in the ultras section at the Gewiss Stadium.

Antagonising ultras is not usually advisable, but Ronaldo survived his cheeky encounter before hailing the home side.

Ronaldo scored twice to rescue a point for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ( Image:

REUTERS)

"It was a difficult game. I know that when we play Atalanta it's difficult," Ronaldo told BT Sport following the draw.

"We believe until the end that I will help my team get the three points and I'm so happy. We never give up and believe until the end. It's a good result for us I think."

Ronaldo did also demand an improvement from his team-mates, with a huge game in the form of the Manchester derby up next on Saturday.

"The beginning was tough, Atalanta have a fantastic coach and they know what to do. I knew when I played in Juventus" he added.

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"We did our job well. We are lucky I scored but that's football. We still have to improve. We have different players and different systems. We have to adapt but it will take time. We have time to improve."

Ronaldo is almost certain to start when Pep Guardiola's men visit Old Trafford and Solskjaer will be hoping the United star can deliver some more magic for his side.