Manchester United snatch late draw against Atlético Madrid in Champions League

After a tepid start to their round of 16 tie against Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, Manchester United came from behind the snatch a late 1-1 draw in the Champions League, thanks to young academy product Anthony Elanga.

The 19-year-old scored with his first touch in the 80th minute after coming onto the pitch to replace Marcus Rashford five minutes earlier, latching onto a slicing transition pass by Bruno Fernandes and slotting low and hard beneath Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

It was more than what United deserved, based on the balance of play, especially in the first half, during which the Spanish side dominated.

United were scrambling from the opening whistle with loose passes and touches inviting Atlético pressure.

Harry Maguire conceded an early corner while poor reactions from Fernandes and David de Gea almost handed the home side the lead, were it not for a brave block by defender Victor Lindelöf, who jumped in front of a José María Giménez shot. 

The pressure soon paid off when record signing João Félix scored with a diving header in the seventh minute, sending the heaving Wanda Metropolitano crowd into raptures.

United were, for most of the first stanza, overwhelmed. For all their possession — 64 per cent, in fact — they achieved little with it, partly due to their opponents' choreographed pressing game and intelligent movement off the ball.

The Red Devils went into the half-time lucky they were not a few more goals behind.

It was a particularly forgettable night for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose every touch was met with venomous boos and sarcastic «siuuuu»s from the stands, a kind of psychological warfare reminding the Portuguese striker of his fall from grace since leaving Real Madrid, with whom he became Atlético's worst