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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Nemanja Matic explains where Manchester United must improve in Atletico Madrid second leg

Nemanja Matic has highlighted where Manchester United need to improve despite scoring late goal to rescue a draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champion League last-16 first leg.

The hosts came out of the blocks fast and took the lead thanks to a stunning header by Joao Felix which left David De Gea helpless.

United struggled throughout but found an equaliser with ten minutes to go when Anthony Elanga ran onto Bruno Fernandes' through-ball and slotted home past Jan Oblak.

Despite the teenager saving the Red Devils in the Spanish capital, Matic was quick to point out where United must improve.

He told MUTV: "We are happy because we scored at the end and we go home with, let's say, a positive result.

"But we also know that we have to play better football and to control the ball more and the game.

"There are some things that we have to work on and we have to improve, but to come here at this stadium against a very good side and to draw is not that bad.

"Deep down though we know in ourselves that we have to play better."

Looking ahead to Atleti heading to Old Trafford for the return leg next month, Matic added: "The most important thing is how we play and I'm sure if we improve, as I said, in those segments with the ball then we will control more and we will win the game.

"We respect them, but we know that we represent one of the best clubs in the world and I'm sure that we will do our best and we will go through."

Atletico Madrid travel to the Theatre of Dreams on Tuesday, March 15.

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