5 reasons why Manchester United will win against Atletico Madrid tonight
Atletico Madrid will host Manchester United at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight (23 February) in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Manchester United finished top of Group F to progress to the knockout stages. After conceding a 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in their first Champions League game of the season, the Red Devils have remained unbeaten in the competition.
They have produced some sublime second-half performances and Cristiano Ronaldo has been a leading light for the Red Devils in Europe's elite competition. He has scored six goals in five appearances in the competitions so far.
The amount of criticism that Manchester United have received over the last few weeks would suggest that they're in some sort of chaos.
But the discourse around the Old Trafford outfit has always been hyperbolic. Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has more or less steadied the ship since taking over in late November. He has won eight, drawn seven and lost just one of his 16 matches since taking charge of the club.
Atletico Madrid are presently fifth in La Liga and have the joint-eighth-worst defensive record in the league. They also lost three of their Champions League group stage and barely scraped through to the knockout stages.
Suffice to say, Manchester United are in much better shape heading into the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie than their opponents Atletico Madrid.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five reasons why Manchester United will win against Atletico Madrid tonight.
#5 Manchester United squad is almost back to full-strength
Edinson Cavani continues to be sidelined with a groin problem. The Uruguayan international has not featured since the 1-1 draw against Burnley on 8 February at Turf Moor. Eric Bailly is the only other player who's injured for Manchester United. The Ivory Coast international is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Neither Cavani nor Bailly would have started the game even if they were fully fit. Ralf Rangnick has a near full-strength squad to choose from. Marcus Rashford hasn't been at his best this season and the German coach had chosen to start Jesse Lingard against Leeds this past weekend.
Rashford is well-rested since it was Anthony Elanga who came off the bench to replace Lingard. Rangnick has a raft of options in midfield and in attack and that could be a major advantage for the Red Devils.
Pogba since his return from injury #flawless https://t.co/sgJfTqQnWN
#4 Atletico Madrid are without a few key players
Atletico Madrid head into the game on Wednesday night without some of their key players. Koke is perhaps the most important of Atletico Madrid's players to have picked up an injury right before the game.
Yannick Carrasco and Felipe are suspended for the game. Forward Matheus Cunha and the versatile Daniel Wass are both sidelined with knee injuries.
Thomas Lemar and Mario Hermoso are on their way back after a bout of Covid-19 but Wednesday could come too early for the duo. As a result, Diego Simeone is a little hard pressed for top quality personnel to be deployed against the visitors from Manchester.
#ChampionsLeague
Atletico Madrid captain Koke injured ahead of @ManUtd clash
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#UCL #AtleticoMadrid #football https://t.co/83AVeWEn63