Anthony Elanga of Manchester United celebrates his goal with teammate Bruno Fernandes on February 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: VCG

Manchester United were spared a damaging and deserved defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as Anthony Elanga's late goal rescued them a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Atletico outplayed a sluggish United for the majority of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and might have considered Joao Felix's early goal scant reward heading into the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.

But rather than extend their ­advantage, Atletico squandered it, Elanga racing onto a Bruno Fernandes through ball and applying a cool finish with 10 minutes left to earn United a draw that felt like a victory.

United boss Ralf Rangnick was asked in his press conference what he told the United players at halftime. 

"I told them this is not enough," he said. "We have to have more energy. It's not about game plans or tactics. It's about conviction. It's about belief. This is not enough. This is the Champions League."

Rangnick told his Manchester United team to play with the same care-free attitude as the 19-year-old Elanga.

"In all the games he has played, he shows he is playing with passion and fun," Rangnick said. "He is just enjoying himself on the pitch, he is aware of his weapons and he wants to show his weapons. 

"Not just with the goal he scored, he had three or four great runs. Atletico had problems with this approach. We have to show this in other positions as well, one or two other players, in every single position. If we want to go through we have to play like that."

Elanga said after the match, "I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid, it's a dream come true. 

"It is only the first half of the tie, we have to be ready for the second half at Old Trafford."

Atletico's Sime Vrsaljko had already hit the crossbar at the end of the first half and Antoine Griezmann was also denied a late winner by the woodwork after Elanga's equalizer.

But while United will breathe a sigh of relief at the result, this was another performance to prompt serious concerns about their progress and direction under interim coach Ralf Rangnick.

In the first half, they failed to register a single touch in the Atletico Madrid box, the first time that has happened to a United side in the Champions League since at least 2005.

Cristiano Ronaldo was up against a familiar foe in Atletico, with 25 goals in 35 games against Diego Simeone's team and 10 in his last 10, including three hat tricks.

But the Portuguese cut a frustrated and isolated figure up front, his biggest contribution as a target for the enthusiastic whistling and booing from the Atletico supporters.

Both Rangnick and Simeone have a veteran scorer whose needs perhaps come at the expense of the team, but while Rangnick started the 37-year-old Ronaldo, Simeone dropped the 35-year-old Luis Suarez, with Felix and Angel Correa named up front instead.

Scintillating start

Ronaldo was whistled before kickoff, along with former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, and a fervent atmosphere provided the backdrop for a scintillating Atletico start.

United were nervy as Harry ­Maguire needlessly headed behind for an Atletico corner before an anxious Fernandes touch allowed Jose Gimenez a shot at goal but Victor Lindelof made an excellent block.

United looked uncomfortable playing out from the back and it was from a skewed David de Gea clearance that Atletico won a corner. United headed away but Renan Lodi swung in a brilliant cross from the left and Felix was there to meet it, his fine diving header flying in off the post.

Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid shoots with an overhead kick during the match against Manchester United on February 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: VCG

Atletico were faster, hungrier and firmer in their approach. They kept robbing United of possession but lacked the final pass. United grew frustrated, Ronaldo in particular, and for 10 minutes the game was diverted to his histrionics, the boos and whistles growing louder.

It could have been worse at halftime as Vrsaljko headed against the crossbar, Lodi's cross coming quick to him at the back post but the net was gaping.

United improved and there was a period around the hour-mark when Atletico seemed to be ceding control. There were precious few chances though and when Ronaldo curled a free kick harmlessly over, Atletico looked close to victory.

Instead, United put together their best and, only, fluid move of the match as the ball was popped through midfield before Fernandes threaded Elanga through. Atletico's Reinildo Mandava committed himself but fell, allowing Elanga to skip clear and send an excellent finish rolling into the far corner.

Griezmann, on as a substitute, curled against the crossbar with four minutes left but a deflated Atletico were unable to restore their advantage.