The Portugal international headed home a late winner after the Red Devils had recovered from 2-0 down at half-time to claim three precious points

Manchester United 3-2 Atalanta: Match Statistics

Manchester United have been criticised for lacking identity in their play in recent weeks but if there is one thing that characterises Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, it is grabbing an unlikely victory when the odds are stacked against them.

When it comes to 'get out of jail free' cards, the Norwegian must have a stack in reserve to cash in when times are getting tough. But, when you’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo in your ranks, there is always that possibility that defeat can be turned into victory.

Both he and his manager had come under intense scrutiny after last weekend's dreadful 4-2 defeat at Leicester but it was, of course, the Portugal international who popped up with a trademark header in the 81st minute to complete the kind of dramatic comeback that those who have been coming to Old Trafford for years have grown accustomed to watching.

The 36-year-old fist-pumped the air towards the Stretford End as he walked off at the end of this absorbing 3-2 win over Atalanta, cutting a far different figure to the one that headed down the tunnel at half-time.

The victory has given United a lifeline in the Champions League when, for 45 minutes at least, they looked to be down and out.

Indeed, they spent much of the evening rooted to the bottom of Group F but, by the end, they were top. Still, much like that dramatic win against Villarreal a few weeks ago, it is a result that papers over the cracks.

United did play better against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side and created enough chances to win – they had 22 shots to Atalanta’s 13 – but again, it was a performance that led to further questions of Solskjaer’s team.

For starters, how can a team that has a specialist set-piece coach consistently concede from dead-ball situations? It's baffling.

Having already been far too easily opened up for Mario Pasalic's close-range opener from a Davide Zappacosta cut-back, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and David de Gea were all culpable as Merih Demiral headed home a corner.

Marcus Rashford had spoken before the game about the need to go back to basics yet it seems they don't even know the basics of defending set-pieces.

Credit where it is due, though, United deserved the three points which eventually came their way.

Their heads looked to have totally dropped as they went 2-0 down to arguably their toughest opponents in Group F and they were met with a smattering of boos as they walked off the pitch at half time.

However, whatever was said in the dressing room worked wonders.

In many ways, Bruno Fernandes personifies United's up-and-down form right now. His first-half display was poor, a shadow of what he is capable of, but he orchestrated United's stirring fightback, creating goals for both Rashford and Maguire.

His second assist may have been fortunate, with his cross somehow finding its way to Maguire at the back post, but his first was genius.