PLAYER RATINGS: Cristiano Ronaldo was kept quiet for once by Atletic
PLAYER RATINGS: Cristiano Ronaldo was kept quiet for once by Atletico Madrid while Harry Maguire was desperately slow off the mark for Joao Felix’s opening goal… but an ice-cool Anthony Elanga salvaged a draw
- Man United snatched a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
- Harry Maguire was too slow to prevent Joao Felix heading Atletico in front
- Cristiano Ronaldo was isolated up front and barely had an attempt at Jan Oblak
- Geoffrey Kondogbia was a gigantic presence in midfield for a dominant Atletico
A cold-blooded finish from Anthony Elanga after an equally deft pass from Bruno Fernandes saw Manchester United snatch a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid despite being outplayed for large parts of this Champions League last-16 first leg.
Ralf Rangnick’s side struggled to get out of their half for much of the game and were fortunate to see efforts from Sime Vrsaljko and Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar.
Here, Sportsmail’s Chris Wheeler and Richard Martin rated the players’ performances at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Harry Maguire was easily beaten to the ball by Joao Felix in one of the game’s crucial moments
Cristiano Ronaldo usually loves facing Atletico but could barely influence the game here
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1)
DAVID DE GEA, 6
Could do nothing for the goal and was beaten by the Vrsaljko and Griezmann efforts which hit the bar.
VICTOR LINDELOF, 6.5
Made a brave early tackle to prevent Gimenez firing at goal but often looked unsuited to playing right-back. Frequently caught out of position and poor with the ball at his feet.
RAPHAEL VARANE, 6
Looked far less assured than in his nine years facing Atletico with Real Madrid. Fortunate to earn a foul when losing his feet against Correa.
HARRY MAGUIRE, 5
Far too slow to keep up with Felix for the goal but steadied himself as the game went on.
LUKE SHAW, 6
Had a compelling battle with Marcos Llorente on his flank and largely kept him quiet. Didn’t provide much of a threat in the other half of the pitch.
PAUL POGBA, 5.5
Barely influenced the game and provided none of the stability the absent Scott McTominay normally does.
FRED, 6
Lost his footing at a crucial moment when trying to jockey Lodi. Frequently outmuscled by Kondogbia.
Bruno Fernandes gave a poor showing yet delivered a perfectly-weighted pass for Elanga
Geoffrey Kondogbia was a titanic midfield presence for Atletico, who bossed most of the game
MARCUS RASHFORD, 5
Couldn’t get behind the Atletico defence or create any danger but worked hard to prevent Atletico dominating the game more.
BRUNO FERNANDES, 5
Struggled to influence the game for 80 minutes but crafted a perfectly-weighted pass into Elanga’s path when it mattered. Has an assist in every game of this Champions League campaign.
JADON SANCHO, 6.5
Did his share of defensive work but offered very little going forward.
CRISTIANO RONALDO, 5
Usually relishes matches with Atletico but was kept quiet and the Metropolitano faithful enjoyed baiting him when he sent a late free kick flying into the crowd.
Subs: Henderson, Heaton, Bailly, Jones, Mata, Dalot, Lingard, Mejbri.
Scorer: Elanga 80
Booked: Shaw, Lindelof, Rashford, Fred
Manager: Ralf Rangnick 6.5 – His changes helped United settle in the second half and take a creditable draw back to Old Trafford.
Felix easily escaped Harry Maguire to head Atletico in front at the Wanda Metropolitano
ATLETICO MADRID
JAN OBLAK, 6
Didn’t have to make a single save until Elanga came bearing down on him and he was easily deceived by the teenager.
STEFAN SAVIC, 7
Bossed the defence and kept Ronaldo, who had scored 25 goals against Atletico for Real and Juventus, at bay.
JOSE GIMENEZ, 6
Was mostly convincing but lost track of Elanga for the equaliser
REINILDO, 5
The new signing struggled, was often overpowered by United and will need more time to adapt to Simeone’s side.
New signing Reinildo will need a bit more time to adapt to Diego Simeone’s brand of football
SIME VRSALJKO, 5.5
Not nearly as much of a threat as Kieran Trippier and bungled a great chance to double Atletico’s lead before half-time.
GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA, 8
Had the daunting task of filling in for captain Koke but was a gigantic presence in midfield, winning every duel while playing a tonne of intelligent passes. Man of the match.
MARCOS LLORENTE, 6.5
Still struggling to replicate the incredible form of his last season which propelled Atletico to the title.
HECTOR HERERA, 6.5
Won the battle with Pogba but lacked vision with his passing.
RENAN LODI, 7
Imposed himself on the game and provided the perfect cross for Felix and frequently carved his way through United in the first half before Lindelof managed to contain him in the second.
Renan Lodi set up Felix’s goal and was a constant thorn in United’s side in the first half
JOAO FELIX, 7
Atletico’s record signing lived up to the big occasion and produced the moment of the game with his soaring diving header. His influence faded in the second half.
ANGEL CORREA, 6.5
Was named in the starting line-up ahead of Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez. Worked hard but lacked finesse and has only scored one goal in 50 Champions League appearances.
Scorer: Joao Felix 7
Booked: Herrera, Lodi, Llorente, Gimenez
Manager: Diego Simeone, 7 – Made a bold move by starting without Griezmann or Suarez and did his usual bit in gearing up the crowd.
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