Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese earned them a 2-2 draw away to Atalanta.

Ronaldo scored a great volley in stoppage time for his second goal of the Champions League Group F game, a result which puts United in the driving seat to qualify for the last 16 of the competition.

It was Ronaldo's fifth goal in four Champions League games this season and it's the third time in a row that he's scored a late goal for the Red Devils in the European showpiece.

It prompted Solskjaer to compare the 36-year-old to another icon of world sport, basketball star Michael Jordan.

"He does provide those moments, and I'm sure Chicago Bulls didn't mind having Michael Jordan either.

"Sometimes teams have the players they have and that's why they are at Man United, that's why they are champions at Chicago Bulls, you just come up with those moments.

"Cristiano is just getting better and better for us. He's feeling better. He's not had a proper pre-season and he's feeling up to speed now."

Once again, it was a mixed bag of a United performance, with Atalanta taking the lead on two occasions. Paul Pobga was ineffective and United defended poorly.

The heroics of Ronaldo have United top of the group and set to qualify for the last 16.

Solskjaer has stressed the positives around the result.

"The point here tonight is very important. If you win your home games and you get a result or two away from home, you'll go through. The attitude to never give in was there. You cannot question the attitude."

Manchester United welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby this Saturday lunchtime.

United lie fifth in the table, but despite the criticism that has been levelled at Solskjaer following the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, a win on Saturday would send United level on points with City.

If he plays, Ronaldo will be chasing his 10th goal of the season.