Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Cristiano Ronaldo to basketball legend Michael Jordan after watching the Portuguese score twice in Tuesday's 2-2 with Atalanta BC.
Ronaldo cancelled out Josip Ilicic's opener to leave the two teams level at the interval of the Champions League contest, before the veteran forward scored a second in stoppage time at the end of the second period to rescue a point for the Red Devils, who remain top of Group F.
Man United have been criticised for relying on the attacker's heroics to rescue points in Europe this term, but Solskjaer said that the big players provide in the big moments, referencing NBA legend Jordan.
"We all have our roles and responsibilities. Cristiano is a leader in the group, but that's what he does: he scores goals," Solskjaer told reporters.
"We're not happy conceding two goals. Both of them are very, very fine margins. The first one I think should be off, the second one is a centimetre onside, probably. He's maybe offside last season, it's fine margins.
"But he does provide those moments. I'm sure Chicago Bulls didn't mind having Michael Jordan either. Sometimes the teams have the players they have and that's why they are at Man United and why they are champions at Chicago Bulls, you come up with those moments.
"Cristiano is getting better and better for us, he's feeling better. He's not had a proper pre-season, now he's getting better and better and he's feeling up to speed now."
Ronaldo has scored nine times in 11 appearances for the Red Devils since returning, including five goals in four Champions League outings.
Matt Law
