Rangnick believes Manchester United deserved their comeback after Elanga’s equaliser at Atletico Madrid

          Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick was not totally pleased with his team’s performance in their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie, but he highlighted that he was pleased with the outcome on their journey to the Spanish capital.

Manchester United lacked energy throughout the game, but a late goal from substitute Anthony Elanga salvaged a 1-1 tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

United, who looked disjointed and lacklustre from the outset, were trapped by a tenacious Atleti, who opened the score after seven minutes with a stunning header by Joao Felix from Renan Lodi’s cross.

Atletico had several chances to increase their advantage and struck the crossbar twice, but were undone by a defensive blunder that handed the ball to Bruno Fernandes 10 minutes from time. “The Portuguese playmaker found Elanga behind the defensive line, and the 19-year-old striker scored with a crisp cross shot, one of only two United attempts on goal throughout the game. The home supporters filled the sold-out Metropolitano stadium and roared loudly as their team made a quick start. This is what we lacked today, but we made up for it in the last half hour, and it’s why the game took a different turn”, Rangnick explained.