Shock therapy – succeeded! Or is it just the individual quality of Cristiano Ronaldo? In any case, the players of Manchester United beat Villarreal 2: 0 on Estadio de la Cerámica in the fifth round of the group stage of the Champions League.
The first goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 78th minute of the match, and the second by Jaydon Sancho in the 90th, thus bringing his team a valuable three points. More precisely, placement in the knockout phase.
The Portuguese thus brought an interesting fact, although not overly praiseworthy for the United team, since he scored each of the last four goals of the “devil” in the Champions League. The last person to do so was Wayne Rooney.
After the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester was forced to enter this match with Michael Carrick on the bench, who until recently was the Norwegian’s assistant. Some would say that the shock therapy succeeded and that the “devils” are back on the winning track, but they are far from shining in this game.
Moreover, for most of the match, United was inferior, while Villarreal had fewer opportunities. Pino tried a shot in the first half, and the possession of the ball was convincingly on the side of the hosts.
Trigueros also stood out, while perhaps the only thing worth mentioning as far as United was the opportunity in the 29th minute. Sancho sent an excellent cross to Ronaldo, but Raul Albiol was in front of him.
It is also worth mentioning David De Heu, who had several excellent defenses and saved his team. However, that did not shake Villarreal in this part of the game, which “pushed” the defense of United all the time, but in vain.
At the beginning of the second half, Trigueros found himself in an opportunity again, but he failed to checkmate De Gea, which later hit them hard on the head. As it usually happens – penalties for numerous misses arrive.
Danjuma also found himself in the opportunity, as did his teammates – he did not use it. However, the one who rarely misses opportunities is Cristiano Ronaldo. Rulli made a mistake, Ronaldo lobbed him and it was 1: 0 for United.
Deservedly or not – the goal is there. And a few minutes later he had another chance. Foyth sent a pass to the goalkeeper of his team, and it was cut by the Portuguese who “stabbed” the ball next to Rulli
They didn’t pass then, but in the 90th minute, a new goal arrived and the victory was confirmed, this time – Sancho!
The former Borussia player and the great reinforcement of United scored a great goal, which definitely confirmed the victory of his team and three new points in the Champions League.
This was the first goal for Sancho in the United jersey, just when it was needed, and it is especially interesting that he was assisted by Bruno Fernandes, who entered the game only in the second half!
United currently has ten points, three more than Villarreal, while Atalanta is third with five, and Young Boys is fourth with three points, which means that the “devils” have secured a place in the eighth-finals.
