Manchester United go up against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Manchester United will face off against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening hoping to make the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The tie is very much in the balance at the halfway stage after the Red Devils drew 1-1 with their La Liga counterparts in the reverse fixture in Spain. Yet Ralf Rangnick has a brilliant double act who can step up and propel his team through.
They were fortunate to top their group, winning just three of their six matches against Villarreal, Atalanta and Young Boys.
And while United were poor against Atletico in the first fixture at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, they were able to leave with a draw courtesy of Anthony Elanga’s late strike.
United won’t be winning the Premier League title this season, instead watching the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool battle it out for glory on that front.
They won’t be claiming the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, either, having lost to West Ham and Middlesbrough respectively.
Therefore, the Champions League represents their last shot at a trophy this term.
Fortunately for Rangnick, however, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho are coming good at a crucial time.
Sancho, in particular, has been nothing short of sensational in recent weeks.
Sancho has netted against the likes of Manchester City, Southampton and Middlesbrough to become an undroppable presence.
And he’s also clocked up assists against Leeds and Tottenham, too.
Sancho is just one part of United’s deadly double act, however.
It certainly bodes well for the Red Devils that Ronaldo has rediscovered his goalscoring touch, with the veteran sparkling during the match with Tottenham.
Now Ronaldo is on song, Atletico can be forgiven for fearing the worst.
He has, after all, scored a staggering 25 goals in 35 career matches against Diego Simeone’s outfit.
And Rangnick was delighted with his showing against Tottenham, saying: “Cristiano is an important player, of course.
“With his reputation and with the way he can still play, he has influence on the team for sure.”
As United prepare for the match with Atletico, they’ll be hopeful Ronaldo and Sancho can fire them through.
They’re becoming quite a double act at Old Trafford and can show what they’re made of on the biggest stage of all on Tuesday night.
