Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a hint that Manchester United have already made a decision about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future. The Portuguese superstar came to United’s rescue yet again on Tuesday night as he fired a last-gasp equaliser to ensure Solskjaer’s men came away against Atalanta with a point.
Under-fire boss Solskjaer came into the match with his job hanging by a thread and will likely at least be given Saturday’s clash in charge against rivals Manchester City as he bids to turn their fortunes around.
The Norwegian boss would’ve seen the pressure on him ramp up had United lost this evening, which looked on the cards before Ronaldo’s late heroics.
The 36-year-old was at his devastating best once again in Italy as he hit a brace to help United twice peg back Atalanta and keep their hopes of qualifying top of their Champions League group alive.
United are now sat top of Group F level on points with Villarreal and two clear of third-place Atalanta, who have five points to their name with two games remaining.
Solskjaer would’ve hoped for a victory to build on last weekend’s 3-0 drubbing of Tottenham but will be counting his lucky stars that United avoided defeat.
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“The beginning was tough, Atalanta have a fantastic coach and they know what to do. I knew when I played in Juventus. We did our job well.
“We are lucky I scored but that’s football. We still have to improve. We have different players and different systems. We have to adapt but it will take time. We have time to improve.”
Ronaldo’s last comment indicates Solskjaer could remain in charge beyond Saturday’s match against City.
A number of high-profile managers have been linked to the United hotseat in recent weeks as the board’s faith in him appeared to wane following their embarrassing 5-0 defeat against Liverpool last month.
But if there were any question marks over whether the players had given up playing for him, United’s performance against Atalanta dispelled them.
Solskjaer hailed his side’s character afterwards and reserved special praise for Ronaldo.
He added: “It’s a tight game. Their goals were tight. We were hoping for offside but Cristiano is just incredible. That’s what he does if there’s anyone you want the chance to fall to, at the last minute he keeps his eye on the ball and his technique was incredible.
“Nobody can question the character of the players, they don’t give in. We made a few changes and they worked. The goal was a proper team goal with great quality on the passing so that was the first moment we played the football that we should do.
“You don’t plan to concede a goal. I think it’s offside because he’s in De Gea’s view and normally he’d save that one. You’re at a difficult place and they are a very difficult and aggressive side who’s hard to play against.
“Varane felt his hamstring and you can’t take any risks and he’s been such a calming influence for us and it’s a shame. The quality wasn’t there.
“Eric Bailey blocked a fantastic chance and if you make a mistake make up for it and the character was spot on and they kept going and never gave up.”
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