Ole Gunnar Solskjaer marvelled at Cristiano Ronaldo's pre-match mentality after he scored his fifth Manchester United goal in as many games this season.
Ronaldo pounced in the 95th minute to secure a vital 2-1 win over Villarreal in United's second Champions League group game and ease the pressure on Solskjaer following two successive home defeats.
Ronaldo was ineffectual for much of the match against an impressive and dominant Villarreal, but Solskjaer drew parallels with Ronaldo's performance in Portugal's World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland earlier this month, when the 36-year-old scored two late headers in a 2-1 victory.
"He's done that so many times," Solskjaer said. "And when you saw him against Ireland a month ago, he missed a penalty early, didn't touch the ball more or less, and he scored two great headers in the last minutes. That's what he's done throughout his career.
"He's so strong, mentally. He stays in the game. I've seen him all day today, the way he's built himself up for this game, how focused he's been. And when he gets that one chance it's a goal.
"He had a couple of half-decent headers in the first-half that could have ended up as chances but a true mark of a very, very good finisher that he keeps calm when the chance arrives."
Solskjaer admitted David de Gea, who made six saves against Villarreal, 'saved' United and that the Europa League winners were deserving of their 53rd minute lead through Paco Alcacer.
United made four substitutions after Alex Telles equalised on the hour and late entrants Fred and Jesse Lingard played instrumental roles in Ronaldo's winner.
"We had lots of possession but they counter-attacked really well," Solskjaer explained. "In the transitions, [they] attacked quickly and created some big, big moments in the game. Second-half, they had more of the ball, it was still open and they deserved to lead.
"But Old Trafford is magic, Champions League Old Trafford, sometimes that history helps us and tonight it did. Cristiano came up with a good goal and Alex scored a fantastic goal."
