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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

6 things noticed from Man Utd training as Bruno Fernandes returns for Atletico Madrid

Manchester United 's biggest game of the season is on the horizon, with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals up for grabs.

The Red Devils welcome Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford on Tuesday for what could be the end of their European journey, having drawn 1-1 with the Spanish champions in the first leg.

Ralf Rangnick 's team head into the second meeting buoyed by a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo 's sensational hat-trick.

With the race to finish fourth in the Premier League out of their hands, United's best chance of being involved in next year's Champions League might just winning the competition this time around.

One thing is for sure, Rangnick's side will face a tough test against Diego Simeone and Co. - but they've received a big boost.

Join the debate! Will Man Utd beat Atletico? Let us know your score prediction below.

1. Welcome back, Bruno

A matter of hours before beating Spurs on Saturday, the Red Devils' matchday plans were thrown into chaos thanks to Covid-19.

Changing bases from a city-centre hotel to their Carrington training complex and arriving at Old Trafford by car as opposed to using the team bus, David de Gea 's positive test eventually proved false after a mad morning.

But Bruno Fernandes wasn't so lucky, being unable to feature in the victory.

However, United's 'Portuguese magnifico' has been able to quickly recover and is set to return to the starting XI just three days later.

In fact, there's only one injury concern for Rangnick ahead of the all-important second leg.

"As it is right now, we have all the players available for the game tomorrow, there is a small question mark behind Luke Shaw," the acclaimed German coach revealed pre-match.

"He has been training yesterday and today but we have to wait to see if he is fully fit to be available for the game, all the other players are back in training and ready for tomorrow."

2. Ronaldo all smiles

Less than a week ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was a cloud over the Red Devils' future.

In the aftermath of their Manchester Derby humiliation at the hands of bitter rivals City, which he missed due to injury and headed home to Portugal, critics once again brought up the word "problem" in relation to Ronaldo.

But fast forward following his hat-trick heroics and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is at the heart of United's hopes of qualifying.

Boasting a superb goalscoring record against Atletico from his time at Real Madrid and Juventus, a frustrating first leg means Ronaldo will be hungrier than ever silence his haters in red and white.

Billed by Rangnick as one of six players who can drive the team on like an "engine," it's hard to write the 37-year-old off whenever he's playing in his favourite competition.

3. Elanga eyeing recall

Although Ronaldo has enjoyed the spotlight plenty of times in his career, that night in Madrid three weeks ago belonged to Elanga, whose 80th-minute equaliser gave the Red Devils parity ahead of round two.

But after faith from his boss in the following few games, the United academy graduate was dropped for Tottenham's visit on Saturday in place of Marcus Rashford.

Elanga, however, would only have to wait 68 minutes to regain the right-wing role the England international, who put in yet another below-par performance.

While the 19-year-old lacks in the experience department compared to Rashford, Elanga will strike fear into Atleti if his name appears on the team sheet.

4. Key man Varane

One of the Red Devils' many problems this campaign has been getting one of their best players on the pitch: Raphael Varane.

The French defender, who boasts four Champions League titles thanks to his sparkling decade at Real Madrid, has been absent for United's worst results this season and when partnering Harry Maguire, Rangnick's team are unbeaten.

So, it's no surprise that the Red Devils interim manager has been talking up Varane's influence, alongside another centre-back.

"Yes, it's very important [to have the 28-year-old fit], but with Victor Lindelof, we have also won quite a few games and played well and had quite a few clean sheets," Rangnick noted.

"Right now we have top players for central defence and it will be not so easy for me to take that decision tomorrow. Also when Victor came on in the last 10-15 minutes, he played well.

"But as I said, it's good to have Rapha fully fit again and it's also good that we looked after him and he looked after himself, not playing too early again. So now he seems to be fit on a regular basis and can play for us regularly."

5. Telles ready for left-back tussle

With Shaw potentially missing his third successive match, Alex Telles is in line to keep his place at left-back.

Joining Rangnick in Monday's press conference, the Brazilian was quietly relishing the opportunity to keep his colleague out for good, although was full of praise for Shaw in their battle to get the nod.

"I have great respect for Luke. Not just for him, for all the players in this side. I know the history Luke has at the club," Telles stated.

"I came here to help, since the first day. The first year here for me wasn't that easy for me, but this year I feel a lot better. I'm working very hard, I'm a player that comes to help.

"The manager makes the decisions. He'll pick the player who is playing best. I have a huge amount of respect for him [Shaw] and we get on really well on the pitch."

6. Edi at the ready

Speaking of team selection, the second leg could well go full distance and Rangnick would be forced into making mid-match changes.

One man who'll certainly be lined up - if he doesn't start - is Edinson Cavani, who recently returned from a six-game absence by making a 10-minute cameo against Spurs.

The Uruguayan is a proven goalscorer in Europe and his experience may well pay dividends for the Red Devils in either extra-time or during a penalty shoot-out.

Cavani's stock has admittedly fallen rather rapidly since his injury struggles, but a vital goal to make it another magical night at the Theatre of Dreams would show just why he boasts cult hero status amongst United fans.

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