Manchester United (aka) the blues drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in Wednesday night’s Champions League tie. After two straight wins over Leeds and Brighton, Ralf Rangnick’s side went into the game on a high. And they had Anthony Elanga to thank for leaving Spain with a credible stalemate to their name. United have been improving under Rangnick since the 63-year-old replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, they were flat against Atletico with the La Liga champions dominant for the most part before Elanga struck in the closing stages. Joao Felix was nearly the matchwinner, with the Portugal international heading his side in front after capitalising on Harry Maguire’s lack of pace.
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the same
When United signed Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, many expected them to challenge for the biggest titles on offer again. But, like with Gareth Bale at Tottenham and Didier Drogba before him at Chelsea, it’s never the same second time around. This Ronaldo remains a good finisher. With 15 goals to his name, he’s done well amid a difficult campaign.
Yet he’s no longer the player he used to be and, against Atletico, operated on the fringes of the action. Ronaldo’s attitude doesn’t help either, with the Portugal international quick to condemn his team-mates whenever the ball didn’t find him. Marcus Rashford, in particular, was on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from his team-mate on the night.
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