The Mancuniens relied, as often this season, on their Portuguese striker (78th) in the last quarter of an hour to get rid of the team of Unai Emery, who had until then dominated the debates.

Released, the Red Devils then ensured their success on a counter concluded by Jadon Sancho (90th) and will remain at the top of Group F (10 points) at the end of this day.

Dropped in the race for the title in the Premier League (eighth with twelve points from the lead) after their heavy defeat against Watford (4-1), the Mancunians can still believe in a continental coronation.

For his first match as interim head coach, Michael Carrick had made strong choices: Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes, less successful for several weeks, was left on the bench unlike Donny van de Beek, shunned during the mandate of "Ole", and of the Frenchman Anthony Martial.

French Manchester United striker Anthony Martial faces Villareal defender Pau Torres in their Champions League group match on November 23, 2021 in Villareal JOSE JORDAN AFP

But it was Villarreal who had control of the game and obtained the most chances: Me Gomez, on a left-footed strike (5th), then Trigueros (27th), on the right of the penalty area this time, have forced David De Gea to work.

In the second half, the Red Devils continued to suffer and the Mancunian goalkeeper saved his family again by deflecting, with a headline, a volley at mid-height of Trigueros (59th).

It is then the goalkeeper of Villarreal, Rulli, who distinguished himself by winning his duel against Jadon Sancho (71st), on one of the rare forays into the opponent's area.

And then the miracle took place: Cristiano Ronaldo, very happy to see the ball come back to him after a bad control of Etienne Capoue, well pressed by Fred, ideally measured his lob of the goalkeeper, advanced, already scoring his sixth goal during this Champions League campaign, the 140th in this competition.

Villareal's French midfielder Etienne Capoue after the 2-0 home loss to Manchester United in their Champions League group match on November 23, 2021 JOSE JORDAN AFP

The Portuguese even almost kicked a few minutes later, but his outside foot, too crossed, spun to the left of Rulli's cages.

© 2021 AFP