Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Manchester United once again here, bagging a brace at the Stadio di Bergamo to pull the Red Devils level twice.
Atalanta put in another solid performance against the English giants and will feel disappointed not to have picked up all three points here but two moments of brilliance by the United offence saw the two sides settle for a draw.
It was a largely poor first half by Man United but Atalanta played well, winning the ball back in midfield with ease as United were sloppy in possession. They worked the ball well in the build-up to Ilicic’s opening goal.
Towards the end of the first half, United grew into the game more but lacked any malice with their passes, until they managed to pull off an excellent move to equalise a few minutes before half-time.
United look much better a little after the break with higher intensity, one touch passing and some intent. However, Atalanta battled back well and Duvan Zapata was a threat throughout, scoring Atalanta’s second goal.
If it wasn’t for Ronaldo providing a moment of magic, with an excellent volley from the edge of the area, United would have suffered a deserved defeat.
So, let’s get into the player ratings in what was a highly entertaining match throughout.
ATALANTA GO UP 2-1 OVER UNITED! pic.twitter.com/LWBgEoo2yJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 2, 2021
Atalanta
Juan Musso – 6.5
Did well to rush out when Ronaldo was through on goal but other than that he had little to do in the first half. Made a couple of decent saves in the second but could do nothing about the goals by United.
Marten De Roon – 7.5
Man-marked Fernandes in the second half and succeeded in what was a solid performance.
Merih Demiral – 7
Solid performance at the back, making a couple of interceptions and clearances.
Jose Luis Palomino – 8
Assisted Atalanta’s second goal after playing a great ball in behind the United defense. Solid performance at the back and was also great in possession.
Davide Zappacosta – 7
Looked solid attacking down the right and also made some good challenges, moving into midfield for large parts of the game.
Remo Freuler – 6.5
Fairly average performance here but could have been better in the midfield battle at times. Lost 9 duels and was also dispossessed twice.
Teun Koopmeiners – 7.5
Looked solid in midfield and made some good passes forward. Also worked well at the back and kept a good defensive structure. Created two chances and played some impressive long balls forward to execute the direct play by Atalanta.
Joakim Mæhle – 6.5
Looked to stay high up the pitch in an offensive manner and played a couple of long balls forward and made a couple of interceptions.
Josip Ilicic – 7.5
Scored the opening goal after getting in space on the edge of the box. United failed to mark him and he was often left with too much time on the ball. Also dropped deep to get on the ball. Solid performance before getting subbed off for Muriel in the 71st minute.
Mario Pasalic – 5
Was hardly involved before he was subbed off at half-time for Berat Djimsiti.
Duvan Zapata – 9
Good work in the build up to the first goal and cut back well to Ilicic. Missed a good opportunity in the first half after he was played on goal but was ushered to the right by Varane. Looked influential and sharp throughout and scored Atalanta’s second after making a great run in behind the defense before finishing smartly past David De Gea. Originally given offside but after a lengthy VAR review, it was awarded. Was always a threat on the counter, looking to get in behind the United defense.
Substitutions
Berat Dijmsiti – 5
Rarely involved after coming on at half time.
Luis Muriel – N/A
4️⃣5️⃣➕1️⃣
9️⃣0️⃣➕1️⃣??? does he do it?#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/Q6E7Q2TymL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 2, 2021
Manchester United
David De Gea – 5
Should have done better to save the first goal but was slightly unsighted by Shaw. Decent save from a long range effort by Zupata.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Solid in defense and won some good challenges. Looked decent going forward too.
Eric Bailly – 8.5
Made a great challenge to deny Zapata who was in on goal in the first half. Looked strong at the back throughout, continuing with his good performance in the first half into the second, and saved United a couple of times to boot.
Raphael Varane – 6
Did well to push Zapata towards the right to stop the chances of him shooting from a good angle. Subbed off in the 37th minute due to injury.
Harry Maguire – 5
Got caught in behind for Atalanta’s second goal, allowing Zapata to get behind. Tried to play offside. Was shaky over the course of the game.
Luke Shaw – 6.5
Could have done better for the first Atalanta goal and could have got closer to Ilicic. Had a busy evening in what was a decent performance.
Scott McTominay – 5
Gave away too many fouls and was also booked for an accumulation of them. Not the best of games here for McTominay.
Paul Pogba – 4
Dispossessed on the edge of the box, which gave Zapata an excellent chance to score in the first half. Too sloppy in possession and both himself and Shaw should have picked up Ilicic for the goal. Another very poor performance.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Influential in the build-up to United’s first goal, played a silky flick back towards Ronaldo to assist. Also created a few chances but De Roon did well when man marking him.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Had little to show for before being subbed off in the 69th minute for Edinson Cavani. Scarcely involved.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 9
Ronaldo rescued United once again here, bagging himself a brace with both goals coming when the Red Devils were behind. Was at the heart of United’s brilliant team goal and finished cooly. He then saved United in injury time with a world class finish on the volley.
Substitutions
Mason Greenwood – 7.5
Played a great ball into Fernandes in the build-up to the goal and also set up Ronaldo for the equaliser. Influential in key moments of the game for Solskjaer’s side.
Edinson Cavani – 5
Gave the ball away in a dangerous position and was not involved much when he came on.