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Cristiano Ronaldo was making a record 185th appearance in the Champions LeagueCristiano Ronaldo scored an injury-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Villarreal in an action-packed Champions League Group A contest.
The repeat of last season's Europa League final, which the Spanish side won on penalties, looked to be heading for a draw after another disappointing United performance but summer signing Ronaldo stroked home from Jesse Lingard's lay-off to spark jubilant scenes at Old Trafford.
However, Unai Emery will be left wondering how his side did not come away with all three points themselves.
United started off brightly with Bruno Fernandes scooping over and Ronaldo also failing to hit the target with his header in the opening seven minutes.
Villarreal took charge thereafter but could not score in a first half in which they created chance after chance.
United goalkeeper David de Gea made vital reflex saves to deny Arnaut Danjuma and Paco Alcacer and also thwarting Yeremi Pino.
Striker Alcacer should have scored when Raphael Varane misjudged the bounce of the ball but dragged his shot wide, and Alberto Moreno and Pino both blazed over from promising positions.
But they did break the deadlock at the start of the second half as Danjuma snuck in behind and pulled the ball back for Alcacer to convert from close range.
United were finding it difficult to make inroads but equalised through Alex Telles' moment of genius, as he smashed a first-time volley from 20 yards out into the bottom corner.
Ronaldo's winner means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side pick up their first win while, in the group's other tie, Atalanta beat Young Boys 1-0 to go top of the table.
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Ronaldo saves Man Utd
Brought back from Juventus in August for the big occasion, Ronaldo left it late to deliver his most telling moment since his return to Old Trafford.
United were heading for a third straight game without winning in all competitions - knocked out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham last week and beaten by Aston Villa in a limp performance on Saturday - but the Portuguese superstar had other ideas.
Making his 185th appearance in the Champions League, the most of any player, Ronaldo coolly converted in the 95th minute for his fifth goal of the campaign.
The home supporters erupted as the goal went in, with Ronaldo running to the corner, ripping his shirt off and throwing it into the air in celebration.
Fans stayed inside the stadium long after full-time, serenading their returning hero with chants of "Viva Ronaldo".
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Manchester United
Squad number1Player namede Gea
Squad number20Player nameDiogo Dalot
Squad number2Player nameLindelöf
Squad number19Player nameVarane- Squad number27Player nameAlex Telles
Squad number6Player namePogba
Squad number39Player nameMcTominay- Squad number11Player nameGreenwood
- Squad number18Player nameBruno Fernandes
- Squad number25Player nameSancho
- Squad number7Player nameCristiano Ronaldo
Squad number14Player nameLingard
Squad number17Player nameFred- Squad number21Player nameCavani
Squad number31Player nameMatic
Villarreal
Squad number13Player nameRulli
Squad number8Player nameFoyth
Squad number3Player nameAlbiol
Squad number4Player nameTorres
Squad number18Player nameMoreno
Squad number5Player nameParejo
Squad number6Player nameCapoue
Squad number14Player nameManu Trigueros
Squad number21Player namePino
Squad number9Player namePaco Alcácer
Squad number15Player nameDanjuma
Squad number12Player nameEstupiñán
Squad number16Player nameDia
Squad number20Player namePeña
Squad number22Player nameMandi
Squad number23Player nameMoi Gómez
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 20Dalot
- 2Lindelöf
- 19Varane
- 27TellesBooked at 71minsSubstituted forFredat 89'minutes
- 6PogbaSubstituted forCavaniat 75'minutes
- 39McTominay
- 11GreenwoodBooked at 68minsSubstituted forLingardat 89'minutes
- 18Bruno Fernandes
- 25SanchoSubstituted forMaticat 75'minutes
- 7Cristiano RonaldoBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Bailly
- 8Mata
- 9Martial
- 14Lingard
- 17Fred
- 21Cavani
- 22Heaton
- 26Henderson
- 31Matic
- 34van de Beek
- 36Elanga
Villarreal
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Rulli
- 8Foyth
- 3AlbiolBooked at 68minsSubstituted forMandiat 73'minutes
- 4Torres
- 18MorenoBooked at 59minsSubstituted forPeñaat 73'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 5Parejo
- 6Capoue
- 14Trigueros MuñozSubstituted forEstupiñánat 61'minutes
- 21PinoBooked at 67minsSubstituted forGómez Bardonadoat 73'minutes
- 9AlcácerSubstituted forDiaat 58'minutes
- 15Danjuma
Substitutes
- 1Asenjo
- 2Pérez Martínez
- 10Iborra
- 12Estupiñán
- 16Dia
- 20Peña
- 22Mandi
- 23Gómez Bardonado
- 24Pedraza
- 28Iosifov
- 35Jörgensen
Live Text
Match ends, Manchester United 2, Villarreal 1.
Second Half ends, Manchester United 2, Villarreal 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal! Manchester United 2, Villarreal 1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jesse Lingard.
Foul by Edinson Cavani (Manchester United).
Etienne Capoue (Villarreal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Pervis Estupiñán (Villarreal).
Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo with a cross.
Hand ball by Etienne Capoue (Villarreal).
Attempt saved. Scott McTominay (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
Rubén Peña (Villarreal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Rubén Peña (Villarreal).
Substitution, Manchester United. Jesse Lingard replaces Mason Greenwood.
Substitution, Manchester United. Fred replaces Alex Telles.
Attempt blocked. Juan Foyth (Villarreal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Corner, Villarreal. Conceded by Alex Telles.
Attempt blocked. Boulaye Dia (Villarreal) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Boulaye Dia (Villarreal) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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