Cristiano Ronaldo bail Manchester United out again after 2-2 draw with Atalanta at Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy.
Ronaldo has now hit five goals in four Champions League appearances since his return to United from Juventus in the summer.
The veteran striker has almost single-handedly fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to the top of Group F, with Villarreal sitting in second on goal difference following their 2-0 win against Young Boys and Atalanta two points further back in third.
Ronaldo admitted that the Red Devils were slightly fortunate to avoid defeat in their latest outing and has called for patience as they continue to try and rediscover a consistent streak.
"We never give up, we believe until the end, it is a good result for us," he said to BT Sport. "The beginning was tough, we knew Atalanta would do a lot of pressure, they have a fantastic coach, when I played at Juventus they were always difficult to play against. We were a little bit lucky in the end, but that is football.
"We still have to improve. We have different players, a different system, we have to adapt with each other, but it will take time. We have time to improve and be better."