UEFA Champions League 2021-2022

There have been six trophies under the manager, including two massive ones – the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following season. But to beat Real Madrid in an almost impossibly glamorous showpiece to complete a Cup treble – with the League Cup and FA Cup already in the cabinet – promised a new, more rarefied high.

The Brazilian full-back headed in unmarked at the back post four minutes before half-time to end United’s last chance of silverware this season as their drought without a trophy since 2017 goes on.

United have spent £1.4 billion ($2.54bn) on transfers over the last 10 years (per ESPN’s Rob Dawson), and since 2011 have won just two Champions League knock-out ties.

PSG had initially been paired together with Manchester United in a tie that would have seen old rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo come up against one another.

However, the reworked draw sees them play record 13-time European champions Real while the Old Trafford side will face Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

UEFA had earlier blamed a “material error” due to a “technical problem with the software of an external service provider” as it announced that the draw for the first knockout round of its flagship competition would have to be redone three hours later.

he competition’s all-time top scorer struck a sweet volley from outside the box in the 91st minute to keep United on top of Group F.

However, another disjointed display bailed out by Ronaldo’s brilliant finishing will do little to ease the pressure on coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian bought himself some time from the calls for him to be sacked with a 3-0 win at Tottenham on Saturday.

Solskjaer’s switch to a back three at the weekend resulted in some much-needed defensive solidity.

The Portuguese superstar – who handed United their first Champions League win of the campaign with a late strike against Villareal – did it again with an 81st minute winner, leaping into the air to head home a Luke Shaw cross.

It was Ronaldo’s sixth goal in eight appearances since rejoining the Premier League giants, but arguably his most important yet as it reduces the pressure on coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a woeful first half defensive performance.