Solskjaer compares Cristiano Ronaldo to Michael Jordan after new hero role

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 07:22• Yanick Vos

Cristiano Ronaldo once again played a hero role on behalf of Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. In injury time he saved a point for his team visiting Atalanta (2-2) with a nice volley, while he also signed for the equalizer just before half-time after a nice combination with Bruno Fernandes. Afterwards, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke highly of the Portuguese attacker and compared him to former top basketball player Michael Jordan.

Manchester United fell behind in Bergamo by a goal from Josip Ilic, after which Ronaldo took care of the 1-1 in the injury time of the first half. After the break it was Duvan Zapata who beat David de Gea and made it 2-1 against the ropes. United seemed to be playing a losing game, until Ronaldo appeared on the edge of the penalty area just before time. Atalanta’s defenders couldn’t clear the ball and Ronaldo was in the right position to make the 2-2 from the volley on Mason Greenwood’s pass. Not for the first time this Champions League season, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner proved his worth for United. At home against Villarreal (2-1) and Atalanta (3-2) Ronaldo was responsible for the winning goal in the final phase.

Solskjaer described Ronaldo as “unbelievable” after the match. “Cristiano is to us what Michael Jordan was to Chicago Bulls,” the trainer told BT Sports. Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NBA and won six championships with his team. “No one can doubt the character of these players. They never give up and just keep going. But Cristiano is really incredible, this is what he does. It was a difficult opportunity. He kept his eyes on the ball and then with his technique… Great”, said Solskjaer about the 2-2.

Solskjaer was also very pleased with Ronaldo’s first goal. A nice attack by Manchester United was completed from close by by the routine. “That was an excellent team goal with high quality passing. Six or seven passes led to that goal. That was actually only the first moment that we really played football the way we want to see it.” The draw puts United on seven points from four games and takes the lead in Group F. Villarreal has the same number of points, Atalanta is in third place with five points. United will visit Villarreal on November 23.