Ole: Ronaldo is United's Jordan

Solskjaer felt the performance had also answered another criticism of his players heard in the aftermath of their recent 5-0 home loss to Liverpool.

"Definitely no one can question the character of these players. They just don't give up, they don't give in and they keep going. We had to make a few changes and they worked," he said.

Solskjaer's switch to a back three for a 3-0 win at Tottenham on Saturday resulted in some much-needed defensive solidity after the humiliating 5-0 thrashing against Liverpool.

However, that was just the Red Devils' second clean sheet in 22 games and their problems at the back were again easily exposed, with captain Harry Maguire having another night to forget.

David de Gea has been one of United's best performers of a desperately disappointing season so far, but he was at fault as he let Josip Ilicic's shot squirm under his body and over the line.

Duvan Zapata had two glorious chances to double the Italian side's lead, but the Colombian fired high and wide before being denied by a brilliant block by Eric Bailly.

United suffered another blow when Raphael Varane was forced off midway through the first half with what appeared to be the recurrence of a groin injury.

However, the individual quality in the United squad was in evidence for a superb equalizer in first-half stoppage time.

Mason Greenwood played in Bruno Fernandes, who picked out Ronaldo with a backheel for his Portuguese compatriot to blast home his eighth goal in 12 games since returning to Old Trafford in August.

But United has only won five of those games as Solskjaer continues to struggle to find the right blend up front.

The offside flag initially came to United's rescue when Zapata finally found the net 11 minutes into the second period.

After a video review that took over two minutes, the Gewiss Stadium erupted in celebration when the goal was given.

Despite being starved of service for the majority of the second half, Ronaldo delivered again in the first of five minutes of stoppage time.

Greenwood flicked the ball toward the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who arrowed the ball into the bottom corner.

United even had a late chance to snatch all three points when substitute Donny Van de Beek was denied by Juan Musso from a narrow angle.

But a point was enough to keep United ahead of Villarreal at the top of Group F based on their head-to-head record, with both sides locked on seven points.

Atalanta is two points further back with two games remaining.

Agencies