Cristiano Ronaldo admitted Man Utd’s tie against Atalanta was difficult.

FT: Atalanta 2-2 Man Utd

Ronaldo came to the rescue once again [Getty]

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his delight after his late goal helped Manchester United seal a 2-2 draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night but admitted the tie was difficult.

The 36-year-old’s dying minute volley at the Stadio di Bergamo earned United a point to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

The Red Devils nearly broke the deadlock early in the match as a deflected Scott McTominay shot hit the base of the post.

With only 11 minutes into the game, Atalanta opened the scoring via Josip Ilicic, whose strike went under the body of goalkeeper David de Gea into the net.

Duvan Zapata could have doubled the lead moments later, but Eric Bailly responded quickly as he blocked the shot.

And in added-on time in the first half, following a brilliant combination from Mason Greenwood, Ronaldo, and Bruno Fernandes, the former Real Madrid star registered his fourth Champions League goal of the 2021-22 season.

In the second half, Atalanta were in control of the game and took the lead for the second time in the 55th minute when Zapata ran free and chipped the ball over De Gea. The goal was initially cancelled for off-side but following a VAR check, the decision was overturned.

United huffed and puffed and it looked as if they were heading for a defeat, only for Ronaldo to snatch a last-gasp equaliser that sent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to the top of Group F with two games left to play.

'We were a little bit lucky'

Following the tie, forward Cristiano Ronaldo told BT Sport the Red Devils were a bit lucky: "It was a difficult game, I know when we play in Bergamo it is always difficult, but we believe until the end and I am so happy.

"We never give up, we believe until the end, it is a good result for us. The beginning was tough, we knew Atalanta would do a lot of pressure, they have a fantastic coach when I played at Juventus they were always difficult to play against. We were a little bit lucky in the end but that is football.

"We have to still improve, we have different players, different systems, we have to adapt with each other, but it will take time. we have time to improve and be better."

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 127 goals in all competitions for United [303], one goal more than his current boss Solskjaer, who scored 126 goals in 366 appearances.

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