Manchester United secured a last gasp win over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League last night.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal in the 95th minute to secure the three points for the Red Devils, and a lot of credit has to go to the manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well who made the necessary substitutions towards the end of the game that helped change the outcome.
The Norwegian decided to throw in the likes of Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani to beef up his attacking options towards the end of the game, and both players managed to make a difference in the final third.
Cavani’s movement and pressing in the final third created gaps for his teammates, and Lingard managed to set up the winner for Ronaldo.
It was Manchester United’s first win of the group stages this season after their defeat against Young Boys last time out.
Despite the win, it was evident that Manchester United have not been able to perform to their full potential so far, and they are still a vulnerable unit, there for the taking.
Ronaldo’s winner will certainly mask the deficiencies in the side for now, but the Red Devils will have to improve immensely if they want to challenge for the major trophies like the Premier League and the Champions League.
Manchester United lack balance at the middle of the park, and signing a top-class defensive midfielder should be their priority when the transfer window reopens in January.
A quality alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka would also be an intelligent bit of business from the Premier League giants.
As for now, it remains to be seen whether the likes of Ronaldo can continue to hide the weaknesses in the side and help grind out positive results with important goals up until the January transfer window.
