A fine atmosphere at Old Trafford, as Ronaldo takes to the European stage on his old stomping ground for the first time since his return. The Red Devils wear red, while the Yellow Submarine are in yellow. Exactly as everything says on the tin. We’ll be off in a minute!
Atalanta have beaten Young Boys 1-0 thanks to a 68th-minute Matteo Pessina goal. So as things stand, the Italians lead the group on four points, one ahead of the Swiss. Villarreal, who drew 2-2 with Atalanta on matchday one, are third with a point, while United sit at the bottom, yet to chalk one up.
Cristiano Ronaldo will break the all-time Champions League appearance record tonight. He’ll play in his 178th game in the competition upon starting this evening’s match, moving ahead of his old Real Madrid mucker Iker Casillas. Meanwhile the injured Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are replaced by Victor Lindelof and Alex Telles, while Diogo Dalot replaces the suspended Aaron Wan-Bissaka. There’s also a start for Jadon Sancho.
Telles has a little look down the left. He can’t find anyone in the middle with his cross. Then Lindelof tries to release Sancho with a long pass, but the ball squirts through to Rulli in the Villarreal goal. Finally Ronaldo considers shooting, but shifts the ball left to Fernandes instead. Fernandes – United’s captain for the night in Harry Maguire’s absence – hoicks over from the edge of the box.
Ronaldo crosses from the right. Lingard sticks out a leg, eight yards out, and deflects towards the top right. Rulli sticks out a strong arm to stop. No Champions League redemption for Lingard, whose backpass led to the Young Boys defeat … though he’ll always have the London Stadium.
— Chirag Godara (@iChiragg) September 30, 2021