Joao Felix scored the opening goal for Atletico Madrid before Anthony Elanga salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United.
Felix lost United’s defenders to get on the end of Renan Lodi’s cross, and his diving header went in off the post.
The Atletico forward said he was left disappointed by the end result. Speaking to AS, he said: “The feeling was very bittersweet.
“We played a good game, despite not having much of the ball. We always had the game under control, they hardly had any chances to score. For one they had… that’s football.
“We have to continue like this and trust. We’ll try to do better.”
He also added that his goal was one Atletico had been working on in training, adding: “It’s my second headed goal here. Last week we spent a while with Vrsaljko and Renan shooting crosses and it turned out.”
Poor defending
Despite this, United let Felix go free far too easily and former star Rio Ferdinand called out captain Harry Maguire for a mistake.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “You are taught as a kid don’t let anyone get in front of you there.”
Maguire acknowledges United did not play well as a team and he has vowed an improvement for the second leg at Old Trafford.
United boss Ralf Rangnick made a confusing tactical choice early in the game with Victor Lindelof starting at right-back.
The decision was criticised by Red legend Paul Scholes, who said at half-time on BT Sport: “All the problems have come down Lindelof’s right hand side. Tactically it has not worked.”
Lindelof was subbed off for Aaron Wan-Bissaka 20 minutes in the second half. The tactic is not one Rangnick is likely to repeat for the second leg.
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