Former English Footballer Paul Merson praised Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent match performance against Atlanta. He said it was “one of the best finishes of all time”. However, he believed that the 2-2 draw just covered up the cracks for Manchester United.
That man 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.
A late @Cristiano strike gives earns us a valuable #UCL away point. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 2, 2021
After Atlanta’s Josip Ilicic helped the team take the lead with the first goal, Ronaldo hit a magnificent strike in the second minute past the half time. However, at the 56th minute, Atlanta’s Duvan Zapata scored a goal, putting the team ahead of Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest efforts come only two weeks after scoring the game-winning goal in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford against Atalanta, and his double moves him to nine goals in 11 appearances this season after his strike against Tottenham on Saturday.
His sensational second goal made him the oldest player in the history of Manchester united to have scored two goals in a single game. Merson believes that he can do even more than that.
“It’s got to be one of the best finishes of all-time; it’s just out of absolutely nothing,” Merson said of his late leveller on Soccer Special.
“He didn’t touch the ball in the second half. Not through his fault, he just didn’t get the service. But it comes to him and there’s no snatching at it, he hits through the ball perfectly.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal and his first goal was brilliant as well.
“I was one of the big critics. I was one who wasn’t sure about him coming back. But if you give him chances, he will score goals. Thirty-six or 46, it doesn’t make any difference, he will finish.
“If you took away his two goals tonight, he’s a two out of 10. But his two goals are phenomenal and I’m lost for words.”
The draw against Atlanta put Manchester United back on top.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal improving their chances of reaching the last-16, their fragmented effort in Bergamo raises old doubts about the man in the dugout.
“It’s another Polyfilla one, it’s just covering over the cracks, but it’s a result,” added Merson. “They’ve got a draw and they’re going to qualify.
“If they had lost, and they had gone and got beat by Villarreal, they were virtually out of the competition. Now you would expect them to qualify.
“As long as you’ve got Ronaldo on the pitch, you’ve got a chance. They hadn’t looked like scoring in a month of Sundays and then he goes and does what he’s done.”
