Ralf Rangnick has apparently let slip that Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
The Red Devils will take on Diego Simeone's men in the second leg of their last 16 tie with the score tied at 1-1. Ronaldo was the hero once again for United at the weekend as his hattrick sealed a 3-2 win over Tottenham.
The Portugal star officially became the all-time leading goalscorer in world football in the process with 807 goals to his name. And Rangnick hinted that he will keep his place in the side against Atletico as he congratulated Ronaldo on his impressive feat in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday night's game at Old Trafford.
He said: "I would like to congratulate Cristiano on becoming the all-time leading scorer in world football. He has now scored 807 goals plus. I'm certain he will keep adding to that total over the coming weeks and months - hopefully including tonight."
Rangnick is optimistic of United's chances despite Atletico having the upper hand throughout the majority of the first leg. Anthony Elanga rescued the Red Devils with a late equaliser off the bench.
He said in his pre-match press conference: "For us it's more about our own sporting ambition. We are highly ambitious, we want to proceed, we want to show that we can compete with the best teams in Europe and therefore we will try everything to win the game tomorrow."
"It's very important [not to concede first]. Even more so against a team like Atletico, who don't mind the other team having the ball. In their last four or five games, they had less than 50 per cent possession."
On what went wrong in the first leg, he added: "We played into their hands by playing the ball too slow, passing the ball too slow, too many square passes, short passes. We sent a lot of pressing invitations to their midfield players."
Rangnick is aware United's best chance of securing Champions League football next season is going all the way in the competition with Arsenal in pole position to seal a top-four finish. But the interim boss says his players are fully motivated on both fronts.
Will Manchester United make it past Atletico Madrid? Comment below
"We are fully aware we shouldn't be dropping points anymore. Arsenal are in good shape. They won again yesterday. We need to look after ourselves and win our games in the Premier League - [Tomorrow] it's Champions League and everyone in the squad is highly motivated."
"Even if we manage to do that [qualify for the Champions quarter-finals], there are other good teams in the competition. In three weeks, we have the next Premier League game against Leicester at home and we will still try to push to win the next games in the league."
"It doesn't matter which way we qualify for the Champions League next season. The question is what is most realistic. Tomorrow is Champions League and we'll try everything we possibly can to win the game tomorrow to be in the last eight."
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