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Manchester United’s three worst players against Atalanta

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Manchester United fought back to scrape a draw against Atalanta thanks to two impressive equalisers from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s two goals were memorable, but United have plenty to fix if we are to be competitive if we reach the knockout stages.

Along with Ronaldo, Eric Bailly and Bruno Fernandes made our trio of best players from the game.

But it was also a disappointing night, with United’s going behind twice and struggling to create chances until the goals.

Here is a look at three particularly disappointing players…

FBL-EUR-C1-ATALANTA-MAN UTD
Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba put in a performance of a player who looked like his mind was elsewhere.

He was unfocused and out of tune with his teammates, struggling to connect with passes, and nearly giving a goal away when dispossessed on the edge of the box.

Pogba completed only 80 per cent of his passes, a very low total by his standards, and lost three out of five duels.

He was fortunate to last as long as he did, and it was a relief when he was substituted on 67 minutes.

Atalanta v Manchester United: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images

Harry Maguire

While Eric Bailly was fantastic, Harry Maguire looked like a liability out there.

Time and time again he was caught out of position, and managed to play Duvan Zapata onside for Atalanta’s second goal.

This was not a performance of a £80 million defender and Maguire needs to sort himself out. Once Raphael Varane went off injured he looked lost.

On this evidence, United’s top defensive partnership should be Varane and Bailly.

Considering the money United spent on Maguire and Pogba, their performances were seriously disappointing.

Atalanta v Manchester United: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

David de Gea

It hurts to include him here as he has been fantastic this season up until now, but David de Gea had a poor game.

De Gea let Josip Ilicic’s early strike squirm under him and it was a shot he should have saved.

For the second goal he was way too slow off his line, and combine that with a hesitant and slow Maguire and it is a recipe for disaster.