Atletico outplayed a sluggish United for the majority of the in shape at the Wanda Metropolitano and might have considered Joao Felix's early intention scant reward heading into the second leg at Old Trafford in 3 weeks' time. But instead of expand their advantage, Atletico squandered it, Elanga racing onto a Bruno Fernandes via ball and making use of a fab end with 10 mins left to earn United a draw that felt like a victory.
Atletico's Sime Vrsaljko had already hit the crossbar on the cease of the primary half and Antoine Griezmann became also denied a late winner by using the woodwork after Elanga's equaliser. But while United will breathe a sigh of comfort on the result, this was any other performance to spark off serious concerns approximately their development and route underneath meantime instruct Ralf Rangnick.
In the primary 1/2, they did not check in a single contact in the Atletico Madrid container, the first time that has happened to a United facet within the Champions League due to the fact at least 2005. Cristiano Ronaldo become up in opposition to a acquainted foe in Atletico, with 25 goals in 35 games against Diego Simeone's group and 10 in his last 10, which include three hat-hints. But the Portuguese reduce a pissed off and remoted determine up front, his biggest contribution as a target for the enthusiastic whistling and booing from the Atletico supporters.
Both Rangnick and Simeone have a veteran scorer whose desires perhaps come at the fee of the crew, but whilst Rangnick began the 37-12 months-old Ronaldo, Simeone dropped the 35-year-old Luis Suarez, with Felix and Angel Correa named up the front rather. Ronaldo turned into whistled earlier than kick-off, along side former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, and a fervent surroundings provided the backdrop for a scintillating Atletico start.
United had been nervy as Harry Maguire needlessly headed behind for an Atletico nook earlier than an worrying Fernandes contact allowed Jose Gimenez a shot at purpose however Victor Lindelof made an outstanding block. United looked uncomfortable gambling out from the back and it become from a skewed David de Gea clearance that Atletico won a nook. United headed away but Renan Lodi swung in a first-rate move from the left and Felix turned into there to satisfy it, his exceptional diving header flying in off the post.
Atletico have been faster, hungrier and less attackable in their approach. They saved robbing United of ownership however lacked the very last bypass. United grew annoyed, Ronaldo in particular, and for 10 mins the sport changed into diverted to his histrionics, the boos and whistles developing louder. It could have been worse at half-time as Vrsaljko headed against the crossbar, Lodi's move coming short to him at the back submit however the internet was gaping.
United progressed and there has been a period around the hour-mark while Atletico seemed to be ceding manage. There were treasured few probabilities even though and when Ronaldo curled a loose-kick harmlessly over, Atletico seemed close to victory. Instead, United put together their nice and, simplest, fluid circulate of the in shape as the ball turned into popped through midfield earlier than Fernandes threaded Elanga thru. Atletico's Reinildo Mandava dedicated himself but fell, permitting Elanga to bypass clean and ship an superb finish rolling into the a long way nook.
Griezmann, on alternatively, curled in opposition to the crossbar with 4 mins left but a deflated Atletico were unable to restore their advantage.
