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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joshua Smith

Raphael Varane delivers 'belief' message to Man Utd team-mates after 'huge' Villarreal win

Manchester United's Raphael Varane has told his Manchester United teammates they must 'always believe' following their last-minute win against Villarreal in the Champions League.

United fell behind after former Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma, who caused right-back Diogo Dalot headaches all night, crossed for striker Paco Alcacer to turn home from close range after 53 minutes.

But in true United fashion, the team refused not to know when they were beaten and equalised after United captain Bruno Fernandes clipped a free-kick from the right up to the edge of the box, where Telles met the ball with a sensational volley that Geronimo Rulli could do nothing to stop.

Cristiano Ronaldo then rocked the ground to its foundations when striking home from an acute angle following a deft Lingard touch with just seconds remaining on the referee's watch.

Following the last-gasp win, several United players have taken to social media to celebrate the win.

In a post on Instagram, Varane wrote: "We need to always believe!!"

Harry Maguire, who did not feature because of injury, simply wrote: "HUGE win."

Match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo posted: "Ssssiiiiiiiiiimmmmm."

Sim is 'Yes' in Portuguese.

Jesse Lingard wrote: "WHAT A FEELING. FIGHT UNTIL THE END!!"

Diogo Dalot wrote in a post: "We fought until the end! Unbelievable atmosphere at OT."

Paul Pogba posted: "Amazing Champions League win!"

Mason Greenwood added: "Amazing win."

Fred wrote: "A night to remember. Thanks God!"

In Group F's other match, Matteo Pessina scored the only goal of the game as Atalanta secured a 1-0 home win over Young Boys to top the group.

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It leaves Manchester United in third place in the group after two matches following their 2-1 loss against Young Boys, who are one place above them, in their opening fixture.

United will be hoping to climb even higher in the table to avoid dropping into the Europa League for the second consecutive season after they lost last year's final to Wednesday night's opponents Villarreal.

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