Atalanta defender Merih Demiral is making a big impression at Old Trafford, but Manchester United had already tried to sign him from Juventus, where he was best friends with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Turkey international rose to nod in a Teun Kooopmeiners corner and double Atalanta’s lead in Manchester.
He was also decisive at the other end with a sensational last-ditch tackle to deny Marcus Rashford one-on-one.
It is hardly the first time that Demiral’s name has been mentioned at Old Trafford, as former Juventus director Fabio Paratici had confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that Manchester United tried to purchase the centre-back in the summer of 2019.
Demiral hugged Cristiano Ronaldo in the tunnel before this evening’s Champions League match, as they were firm friends during their two seasons as teammates at Juventus.
Defenders who LOVE defending 😍
Merih Demiral celebrated this tackle more than his goal tonight!#UCL pic.twitter.com/gOhpDvzs7p
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 20, 2021