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Agence France-Presse

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record 178th Champions League game had been one of his quietest for 94 minutes until the ball broke kindly for him to break Villarreal hearts at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Manchester United’s returning hero rode to the rescue just in time to salvage a 2-1 win from another performance which cast more doubt over where the Red Devils are headed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian badly needed three points after a run of three defeats in four games and got it with seconds to spare.
However, Solskjaer conceded United had “got lucky” and were “saved” by goalkeeper David de Gea as Villarreal enjoyed the overwhelming majority of the chances.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo’s return make Manchester United a European force again?
The difference between the sides was in who was on the end of those opportunities.
De Gea denied Arnaut Danjuma, Paco Alcacer, Moi Gomez and Boulaye Dia either side of Alcacer’s deserved opener for the visitors on 53 minutes.

Alex Telles’ spectacular strike from distance quickly restored parity, but it was not for another half an hour that the all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League took centre stage.
“Cristiano Ronaldo only got one chance and, well, he’s Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Villarreal defender Juan Foyth, who had kept United’s most expensive summer signing Jadon Sancho quiet all night.
Uefa close to US$7 billion package to help football clubs recover from cost of coronavirus pandemic
Sancho and Raphael Varane’s arrival in the transfer window had already raised expectations at United this season before Ronaldo’s stunning second coming in Manchester.
In Ronaldo’s five games since returning to the club, he’s scored five times. But he has also already been on the losing side twice and twice more United have needed late winners to dig themselves out of trouble.
A 2-1 defeat to Swiss champions Young Boys on match day one left the English giants facing another embarrassing early Champions League exit had they failed to win.
“I made history in this club, and I want to do it again,” said Ronaldo, who won his first of five Champions League titles during a six-year spell at United between 2003 and 2009.
“If we hadn’t got three points today it would have been tough to get through to the next stage. But now anything is possible for us, everything is open and we believe we can go through.”
United move level on three points with Young Boys, one behind group F leaders Atalanta.

Let’s Go @ManUtd @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/ReAQnAHiRN
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) September 29, 2021

However, that there is even any doubt over United’s progress to the last-16 speaks volumes for Solskjaer’s inability so far this season to get the best out of a stellar cast.
Ronaldo, Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba all started in an offensive-minded team selection.
But Villarreal cut through the United midfield with ease on the counter-attack to expose a defence missing the presence of three of the first-choice back four due to injuries to Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s suspension.
“Thankfully we had the best goalkeeper in the world tonight,” Solskjaer said. “David was fantastic.”
The United boss continued to unload his artillery from the bench as Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard were sent on in search of a winner.
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And finally the home side’s depth of talent paid off as Lingard calmly rolled the ball into Ronaldo’s path to smash home his 136th Champions League goal as Old Trafford erupted.
“What a game @ManUtd. Epic winner by @Cristiano,” tweeted Usain Bolt, who had been watching from the stands.
But it was a get-out-of-jail-free card for Solskjaer. And it buys him some time rather than a vindication of his credentials to lead United back to the status they enjoyed during Ronaldo’s first spell at the club under Alex Ferguson.


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Uefa Champions League

‘Anything is possible’ for Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo papers over the cracks

Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United’s saviour on match day two of Champions League action against Villarreal. Photo: EPA

epa09496488 Cristiano Ronaldo (seated on pitch) of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal during the UEFA Champions League group F soccer match between Manchester United and Villarreal CF in Manchester, Britain, 29 September 2021. EPA-EFE/Peter Powell

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi in football’s rich list, Andres Iniesta only player based outside Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo congratulates Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes after a goal against Newcastle United in the English Premier League. Photo: EPA

(201207) -- DOHA, Dec. 7, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Yang Shiyuan (L) of Shanghai SIPG FC vies with Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe during the round 16 match of the AFC Champions League between Shanghai SIPG FC of China and Vissel Kobe of Japan in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 7, 2020. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

Can Cristiano Ronaldo’s return make Manchester United a European force again?

Cristiano Ronaldo lifts off on his return to Manchester United with a brace on his second debut for the club. Photo: AFP

TOPSHOT - Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo leaves after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 11, 2021. - Manchester United won the game 4-1. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

epa09461825 Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United in Manchester, Britain, 11 September 2021. EPA-EFE/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

Sport

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United’s saviour on match day two of Champions League action against Villarreal


Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United’s saviour on match day two of Champions League action against Villarreal.


English Premier League

Cristiano Ronaldo

‘Anything is possible’ for Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo papers over the cracks

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United’s saviour on match day two of Champions League action against Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo was Manchester United’s saviour on match day two of Champions League action against Villarreal