Manchester United rescued a crucial draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg.
Joao Felix gave the hosts the lead in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in the seventh minute and it looked like it could be a long night for Ralf Rangnick’s side.
But Anthony Elanga rescued the Reds with a priceless equaliser against Diego Simeone’s side.
Here are United’s three best players from the first leg against the reigning La Liga champions…
Raphael Varane
Just like the rest of the Manchester United team, the World Cup winner looked off the pace in a lacklustre first half.
But in the second 45, United’s number 19 grew in stature and produced a dominant and commanding display.
It was evident towards the closing stages after United had grabbed an equaliser that the French international was organising and leading the United backline.
The four-time Champions League winner won all of his aerial duels, made five clearances, five ball recoveries, one block and one interception.
The real ‘Champions League Varane’ arrived and United looked a more assured outfit when the former Real Madrid man was on top of his game.
Fred
Scott McTominay was a big miss in the heart of United’s midfield and Fred doesn’t possess the same physical attributes to dominate and bully opposing midfielders.
Playing in a midfield three alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, the Brazilian didn’t have the same defensive discipline alongside him that United’s number 39 brings.
But United’s number 17 battled and did the dirty work that was required to prevent United getting overrun in the middle.
The Brazilian international played the crucial pass into Bruno Fernandes who then released Elanga.
The 28-year-old finished the game with nine ball recoveries, six ground duels won, two tackles and one chance created.
Anthony Elanga
United’s number 36 has shown great mentality to bounce back from his penalty heartache against Middlesbrough and not suffer any drop off in performance levels.
Instead, the Swedish under-21 international’s importance to Ralf Rangnick’s side continues to grow and on a night when his senior teammates failed to turn up, Elanga stole the headlines.
Five minutes after coming on for Marcus Rashford, the 19-year-old slotted home a Fernandes through ball to punish an out of position and flat-footed Jan Oblak.
With two goals in as many games off the bench, the youngster is knocking on the door to be given more starts ahead of the likes of Rashford.
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