Portuguese superstars headline the contest as Rangnick and Simeome battle for Supremacy in an all-important UCL clash

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After their stalemate at the Wanda Metropolitano a couple of weeks ago, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are set to conclude unfinished business when both side kickoff in a crunching Champions League knockout round semi final second leg meeting at the old Trafford Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid, although were the better side on the night in Madrid and led for almost the entirety of the game thanks to an early header from Joao Felix, which managed to beat David de Gea to his near post.

Portuguese youngster, Felix has been in impeccable form of late, scoring five in as many outings for the Colchoneros, including a brace away to one of the most improved side in the La Liga this season, Real Betis.

Atletico Madrid however were to be denied a win on the night in Madrid when substitute, Anthony Elanga scored 10 minutes from time to ensure that the contest end in parity ahead of the return leg in the United Kingdom.

It is really a time to get nervous for both sides as the away goal scored or conceded has no significant impact in deciding the winner of the tie, hence they all start from square one on Tuesday evening in England.

Joao Felix has been on a higher level for Atletico Madrid recently. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/ Soccrates/Getty Images)

Manchester United may at this stage think themselves the favourites due to a couple of reasons but at the same time, you never know the United side that will show up so Atletico Madrid will know their opponent can be there for the taking, even when they play at home.

United have struggled this season and even though they have lost just twice under Ralf Rangnick, you can never help it but think they'll suffer a third in their next game.

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired them to a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and knowing the history the former Real Madrid attacker has against Diego Simeone side, he is surely one of their positives heading into the contest.

The five times Balon d'Or winner has scored 25 goals and added nine assists in his 36 meetings with Atletico Madrid while ending up on the winning side in 17 of those games and 10 ending in draws, the biggest plus for United is that the last time he faced Atletico in the second leg of the knockout round in this competition, he scored a hat-trick to help Juventus overcome a 2-0 deficit in Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid gestures after winning the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, Spain on May 10, 2017. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Despite his side’s recent return to form and winning four of their last five games, Argentine manager, Diego Simeone will not help but be worry of the threat Cristiano Ronaldo posses to his teams chances of progression after seeing his man of the match performance on Saturday, the more reason for him to worry.

Atletico Madrid have struggled to keep clean sheets away from home this season and have conceded in all but one of their games away from home this term, which was against Rayo Majadahonda, a side from the third tie of the Spanish division, when they met in the Copa del Rey round of 32 in January.

This is a worry from Atletico but knowing they can also score goals and United's poor defensive record, they might as well think they possess reasons to make their host worry.

Manchester United will be counting on their home support to help them see this contest through but Atletico Madrid will be looking to avoid being a pushover for English teams after their elimination in the hands of Chelsea in the same round last season, this might be a chance for revenge.

While Bruno Fernandes returned to training on Monday after missing the visit of Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Mason Greenwood continues to miss actions due to disciplinary action by the club so United have everyone fit for the contest.

It is however different for their opponent as Belgian winger, Yannick Carrasco will continue for serve his suspension in the competition after getting sent off in their last group game at Porto.

Asides that, Thomas Lemar, Daniel Wass, Matheus Cunha and Sime Vrsaljko are all sidelined with injuries and the trip to Old Trafford will come too soon for them.

Atletico Madrid however have better players to fill in as missing players are not really a regular in the site safe Carrasco and maybe Thomas Lemar.

An intriguing contest awaits at the Old Trafford Stadium on Tuesday night, one that neutrals will find enthralling nonetheless the outcome.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

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