Man Utd talking points as Ronaldo earns Red Devils priceless Atalanta draw

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United to a priceless point with an injury-time strike earning them a 2-2 draw vs Atalanta.

As he did against Villarreal, the 36-year-old popped up in added-on time to earn United another result that leaves their Champions League destiny in their own hands.

In a raucous Stadio di Bergamo, the visitors were inches away from taking an early lead when a deflected Scott McTominay strike wrong-footed Juan Musso only to hit the base of the post.

But with just 11 minutes on the clock, Atalanta took the lead when Josip Ilicic's strike went under the body of David de Gea in the United goal.

Only a miraculous block from Eric Bailly stopped Duvan Zapata doubling the Italians' lead and that intervention laid the foundations for an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side put in another poor display, with pressure over his position set to intensify ( Image:

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In added-on time in the first-half, after a brilliant piece of interplay between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, the former struck his fourth Champions League goal of the season, bringing his record breaking career tally to 138.

The game' then swung Atalanta's way again 10 minutes after the break when Zapata ran free and scooped home - the goal was initially ruled out but after a lengthy VAR check it was awarded.

That looked as if it would be enough to inflict a damaging defeat on United, only for Ronaldo to fire in a last-gasp equaliser to send them top of the group with two games to go.

Here are the big talking points from another rollercoaster night in Europe:

The United rollercoaster continues

Regardless of the final result in Italy, the see-saw nature of United's performances show just how far away they are from even the Premier League 's best, let alone Europe's elite.

Moments before kick-off, Chelsea negotiated their own tricky European away day with consummate ease in Malmo.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal counted for nothing as Man Utd fell to defeat

With the exception of a broken Tottenham, every game feels like a draining, emotional ordeal.

In this competition alone, there have been comebacks, late winners and last-gasp losses.

The XI, on paper at least, should be one of the strongest in the continent, but the performances are just so far away from that.

More injury woes

Raphael Varane hobbled off and is now a major doubt for the Manchester derby ( Image:

Getty Images)

A penny for Solskjaer's thoughts when Varane walked straight to the bench after going down in the first half?

The former Real Madrid centre-back has already dealt with an injury and in his absence, their leaky defence became a burst dam.

The speed in which Varane determined he would be unable to continue doesn't bode well, particularly with a Manchester derby just days away.

Leicester scored four and Liverpool five against a Varane-less Manchester United, City will be rubbing their hands together.

Familiar problems persist

BERGAMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 02: Josip Ilicic of Atalanta celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Atalanta and Manchester United at Stadio di Bergamo on November 2, 2021 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Solskjaer implored his charges to start fast and subdue the hostile atmosphere in Bergamo.

But just as they have done against Liverpool, Atalanta at Old Trafford, Leicester City, Villarreal, Aston Villa and West Ham, United allowed their opponents to strike first.

Dramatic comebacks in the Champions League have helped mask some of their problems, but they continue to give themselves mountains to climb on a weekly basis.

In 15 games this season in all competitions, United have kept just two clean sheets. For a defence that has cost £200million to assemble, it's simply not good enough and needs to be remedied, and quickly.

De Gea under the spotlight again

BERGAMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 02: Josip Ilicic of Atalanta BC scores their side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Atalanta and Manchester United at Stadio di Bergamo on November 02, 2021 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

The Spaniard has been one of United's better players in what has been a hugely unconvincing start as a team overall.

However, he will want to forget Ilicic's opener, with the strike squirming under De Gea's body.

Such is the competition for places in between the sticks at the Old Trafford, any mistake opens the door for a change, with the looming presence of Dean Henderson waiting in the wings.

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He had little chance with the second goal, but Solskjaer proved last season he is willing to make a change at the drop of a hat.

De Gea should retain his place at the weekend, but any further errors and the murmurs will grow infinitely louder.

Pogba's poor night

This was set up to be a night where Paul Pogba could repay his team-mates, manager and supporters following the red card against Liverpool.

Such was the calamitous display against Jurgen Klopp's men, Pogba being sent off wasn't the worst moment of the afternoon, but it once again put the midfielder's space in the squad under scrutiny again.

Back in the side then, this was the perfect time for the World Cup winner to put in one of his vintage performances on a night where his side were desperate for a result.

Pogba was substituted during the second half of play

Unfortunately, this was the type of display seen all too often when he is in the red of Manchester United.

Pogba was poor in possession and failed to have any kind of influence in attacking areas. Such was his lack of impact, chasing the game, Solskjaer opted to bring him off for Nemanja Matic.

He will now return to the sidelines for the next two Premier League games, with a chance to inspire his side spurned.

CR7 does it again

Ronaldo netted an injury-time equaliser for Man Utd

Who would ever dare doubt him?

He'd done it 137 times before tonight and by the end of the night his tally stands at 139 and almost singlehandedly ensured Manchester United remain in command of their own destiny.

His first was the product of a superb combination with Fernandes, his second was a moment of pure genius.

No player has ever scored more Champions League goals, but his 139th could go down as one of his most important.

Thanks to United's indifferent displays this term, it has perhaps been overlooked just how quickly he has hit the ground running.

In just 11 games, he has nine goals and is unequivocally the main man at Old Trafford again.