Manchester United would ultimately sneak a 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid thanks to some late heroics from 19-year-old Anthony Elanga but, in truth, Diego Simeone will be raging that his side did not convert any of the numerous chances they had created up until then.
It says a lot about how poor United were in the first-half in Madrid that it could well have been described as the worst 45 minutes of football they have played since the 5-0 loss to Liverpool.
Anthony Elanga saves United: Shocking stat shows how poor United were in Madrid
Manchester United were fairly well dominated in Madrid, with Atleti having the majority of the meaningful possession in the Wanda Metropolitano.
In truth, United had none of the meaningful possession until the closing stages of the game. Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes were both out of sorts in midfield, while Marcus Rashford was unable to make anything of any opportunities he was given to move in behind the Atletico defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo was completely shackled by the home defence, but the same couldn't be said of Atletico's attack with the Manchester United defence. Victor Lindelof had huge issues dealing with Renan Lodi in his unfamiliar role of right-back, while Harry Maguire was questionable at best on the ball.
It was going forward, though, that United had their biggest issues. One stark stat from the first-half showed just how little the side created, with United failing to have a single touch in the Atletico Madrid penalty area in the first-half.
Zero touches from #MUFC in the opposition box during the first half.
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) February 23, 2022
They went in at the break 1-0 down, thanks to a stunning header from oft-forgotten man Joao Felix for Atletico Madrid.
A fast start from Atletico 🔴⚪️
Joao Felix with a brilliant header to give them an early lead ⚽️😍#UCL pic.twitter.com/IIeiVXxO6H— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) February 23, 2022
Ultimately, Manchester United would be saved by an excellent finish from young Swede Anthony Elanga with just ten minutes to go.
What a time to get your 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 UEFA Champions League goal 🤩
Anthony Elanga 🔴👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/mtaJ95FaiL— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) February 23, 2022
In truth, United could count themselves lucky with the result in Madrid. They weathered a fierce storm of Atletico Madrid intensity - a storm they almost seemed unprepared for initially. Despite their defensive frailties, they managed to come out on top in the final 20 minutes and snatch a draw.
Ralf Rangnick's substitutions also deserved credit, with Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, and especially Anthony Elanga making the difference late on for the side from Manchester.
Elanga's goal was the only big chance United created in the game and, if they can create more chances in Manchester, you feel that they may be able to see it through.
They will return to Old Trafford with it all to play for in three weeks' time and it's hard to shake the feeling that Atletico squandered a major chance to take a decisive lead in the tie on Wednesday night.
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