Cristiano Ronaldo's warning to Man Utd team-mates after bailing them out again

Cristiano Ronaldo has told his Manchester United team-mates they "must adapt and improve" after he almost singlehandedly earned the Red Devils a priceless 2-2 draw with Atalanta.

A Ronaldo brace ensured United's Champions League destiny remains in their hands going into the final two games.

With minutes left, the Red Devils found themselves 2-1 down and third in the group, knowing defeat next time out to Villarreal could end their campaign before it has even got going.

But in stoppage time, Ronaldo spared United blushes by firing home a sumptuous strike to earn them a valuable point.

Speaking immediately after his heroics, the Portuguese forward sent a pointed message to the dressing room, letting them know they must be better in order to compete for honours.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has said Man Utd must improve after he bailed out his team-mates again ( Image:

BT Sport)

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"It was a difficult game. I know that when we play Atalanta it's difficult and 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," he told BT Sport.

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

It was another rollercoaster European night for United who could have taken the lead early on when Scott McTominay's deflected strike hit the foot of the post.

But just minutes later they were made to pay when Josip Ilicic's shot from the edge of the box found its way under David de Gea's body.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is still facing intense scrutiny will have been squirming in the dugout, with his side struggling to string together any type of concerted pressure during a miserable first-half showing.

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However, in added-on time in the opening 45, Ronaldo fired home Champions League goal number 138 after being found by a sumptuous Bruno Fernandes backheel.

But United failed to capitalise on that after the break, with Duvan Zapata firing Atalanta back into the lead 10 minutes into the second period.

Zapata's strike looked to be the decisive moment until Ronaldo flipped the script with a 92nd minute equaliser to see them remain top of the group.