Harry Maguire insists Manchester United ‘deserved the win in the end’ after fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Atalanta 3-2.
The Bergamo minnows were leading 2-0 at Old Trafford by the break with goals from Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral.
However, the injury crisis got even worse when Demiral also limped off, leaving only one first-choice defender.
Champions League | Man Utd 3-2 Atalanta: CR7 breaks Dea hearts
Manchester United poured all their resources forward, including Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho off the bench, to turn it around through Marcus Rashford, Maguire and a Cristiano Ronaldo header.
“The first half we conceded two bad goals. Two big moments in the game,” Maguire told BT Sport.
“For the first they caught us out and then the second it is a set-play that we shouldn’t be conceding.
“We created a lot of chances in the first half so we knew at half-time that the next goal would be crucial. We got the goals we needed and deserved and I think we deserved the win in the end. Yes, we made it difficult but it is a tremendous victory in the end.”
Once again, after the goal against Villarreal, Cristiano Ronaldo popped up with a late winning header.
“I had eyes on it all the way. I was right behind him. His leap, his timing, it was perfect right in the corner. We see it day in, day out in training and in the goals he has scored throughout his career. He has come up with a massive goal for us again in the Champions League.”
Maguire’s goal came after Remo Freuler failed to cut out the Bruno Fernandes cross and it fell kindly for him.
“It is normally with my head. I have not manged to put one away. It is my first goal for the season and the Champions league. A proud moment with my family here.
“We were two goals down and we need to sharpen up with that. But we had plenty of chances. I think Marcus [Rashford] had two one-on-ones in the first-half.
“We are working hard to be more solid but it is about winning and the last three or four games we have conceded too many set-pieces. It is fine margins but we need to do better. We showed great togetherness.
“We were clapped off at half-time by some of these fans and they gave us the belief we needed.”
It’s true that some fans did clap, but Manchester United also received a fair sprinkling of boos at Old Trafford when 2-0 down at the break.
“I was right behind him… His leap, his timing, it was a perfect header!”
“He’s come up with a massive goal for us again!”
Harry Maguire sings Cristiano Ronaldo’s praises and reacts to his first #UCL goal on a crazy night at Old Trafford.
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/PPZzrqAyh5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 20, 2021
I’m confused?? They were lucky to beat Atalanta‘s B team at home?
Usual english arrogance. Beating a depleted team that outplayed united in the first half and that lost their main CB to injury during the game is nothing to gloat about. You can see united is all about some individual player pulling something out of the hat whilst Atalanta is about the team and a good, well drilled system. The difference in the end was the double save by De Gea and united able to have the luxury of a deep bench. Hopefully Atalanta get some players back, but even so, at home, they will be in with a good chance.
Wish Atalanta didn’t have to sell some of their best players every season. Imagine if they still had Romero?! Anyway Congrats to United for big come back victory after eating two goals against Atalanta’s B TEAM!!
And A B team that had little sleep thanks to constant fire alarms at the Atalanta hotel set off by some Man U fans.