Ronaldo sensationally won the Reds' first points in Group F in the dying seconds to beat the Spaniards 2-1 in a thrilling finale.
Villarreal had rocked United when they took the lead with a poached strike after 53 minutes from Paco Alcacer. Alex Telles, with a brilliant hit, scored his first goal of his United career to equalise after 60 minutes.
It was a screaming effort from the Brazilian but headline-making Ronaldo’s winner saw the stadium erupt in joy as Villarreal’s hearts were broken and revenge for our Europa League defeat against the Spaniards in May was exacted in typically stirring style.