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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Cristiano Ronaldo urges Man Utd teammates to make most of Old Trafford opportunity

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged his Manchester United team-mates to make the most of their Champions League opportunity following their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Anthony Elanga's late strike salvaged a draw for the Red Devils in Spain on Wednesday and the winner of the second leg on March 15 will progress to the quarter-finals.

And Ronaldo, who's won the Champions League five times during his illustrious career, wants his United colleagues to benefit from the Old Trafford atmosphere.

"Always a great feeling to be back in Madrid, one of the few cities in the world that I‘ve learned to call 'home,'" wrote Ronaldo on Instagram after Wednesday's game.

"Great feelings, great players, great game, this is Champions League! The mother of all club competitions!

Can Manchester United win the Champions League? Let us know in the comments below!

Cristiano Ronaldo is eyeing-up a sixth European title with Manchester United (Getty Images)

"Now we have the opportunity to close this for us in our stadium, showing everybody why Old Trafford is and will always be The Theatre Of Dreams.

"Last but not least, thanks to our amazing supporters! Your presence make us stronger, and together we will go forward! Let’s go, Devils!"

United must win the Champions League this season if they are to end a five-year wait for a major trophy, although few are backing them to do so.

But Atletico are there for the taking. The Spanish champions are enduring a tough season, needing a dramatic win against Porto to progress from the group stage.

They're also struggling in La Liga, sitting in fifth and facing a battle to qualify for next season's Champions League.

United were poor in the first half against Atletico - with Joao Felix scoring an early header - but improved after the interval to find a crucial equaliser.

The winner of the second leg will progress, as away goals have now been abolished.

"After the performance in the first half, it could only get better because of how we played in the first half," said interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

"I still cannot believe what we did. We played without conviction, without the necessary aggression against the ball and that’s why we were really struggling in the first half.

"In the second half we were much better, we had possession in areas that mattered, and I think with another ten minutes to play we might have even won the game.

Anthony Elanga's goal secured a 1-1 draw for United in the Spanish capital (Getty Images)

"Again, we just have to play better than we did in the first half. I was very disappointed in our performance in the first half."

Elanga's goal was his third in all competitions this season, with the 19-year-old Swede flourishing under Rangnick's influence.

"He is playing as if a dream comes true," added the German coach.

"He is just a joy and it's fun to watch him play. I wish a few other players would take him as an example, or almost as a role model I would say, not because he is doing everything right, but because he’s just enjoying himself on the pitch and that’s what it’s all about.

"Football is an important sport and even more so for our supporters or for the media, but it’s still a ball game and you have to enjoy yourself on the pitch.

"This is what I wish us to do when we play them again in a few weeks."

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