Real Madrid have finally landed in Manchester, for the showdown tie between the two sides. Even with the score level at 1-1, Madrid appear to be favourites for the clash, so what must the Red Devils do to guarantee a place in the last eight?
Contain Ronaldo
This is very much stating the obvious, but United will definitely have to alter their tactics in order to control the Madrid man who has been in electrifying form recently.
Ferguson’s tactics did not seem to work in the first half of the first leg, when the Portuguese captain repeatedly tormented young Brazilian defender Rafael Da Silva. He was also left free in the penalty box and took his chance brilliantly, when he leaped well above a helpless Patrice Evra and scored the equalizer. However in the second half Ronaldo was tightly marked by the Phil Jones, who allowed him no breathing space and thus Ronaldo’s contribution was limited in the last 45 minutes of the game.
Ferguson will have to revise his tactics to stop the man he himself preached, perhaps he should drop Rafael for the more defensively sound Chris Smalling, or maybe play Antonio Valencia on the right flank to provide defensive support to the full back.
Play a three men midfield
United’s midfield seemed largely isolated coming against the quality of Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil. Though Wayne Rooney did operate as a midfield player largely, United should perhaps play a more traditional midfielder such as Anderson or Cleverly, to provide stability as well as to limit the threat posed by the Madrid midfield.
Phil Jones is one player who should definitely start if fit, however there are concerns over his fitness and United will have to ponder over his replacement.
Work on the set pieces
United are unlikely to get many clear cut chances, but just like they did in the first leg, they should try to be more productive in the set pieces. In Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney they have excellent set piece takers, with Evans, Ferdinand and Carrick providing the height to emerge as potential goal scorers from set pieces.
Not to focus entirely on Ronaldo
It will be a horrendous error on United’s part, if they focus entirely on Ronaldo. It is important to remember that Madrid boasts some exciting talents, all of who can really hurt them if given the opportunity.
Di Maria was all over the place in the first leg and caused a lot of menace in the United half, forcing some very good saves from De Gea.
Ozils’s dribbling abilities, Khedira’s driving runs and Alonso’s long passes can all be very threatening to United. United also have to be attentive to attacking threat from the left flank, not just from Ronaldo but also from his international teammate Fabio Coentrao who should have had a goal in the first leg, was it not for an incredible safe by De Gea.
Beware of Varane
You cannot take him granted for his age, the young Frenchman is an exceptional talent. He was incredible against United in the first leg and has been amazing in both the Clasicos last week. His anticipation, pace and aerial ability are currently second to none. He showed amazing maturity in limiting Messi in both the Copa Del Rey tie, as well as the La Liga tie. If he can handle the best player in the world, he can very well handle any attacking threat posed by United.
As things stand United would rather be against Sergio Ramos, rather than play against the 19 year old prodigy and just as a reminder Sergio Ramos himself is a rock solid defender. Manchester United should thus find a way to break through the Madrid defense and especially find a way past the incredible Rafael Varane.
Conclusion
If the score stays level at 0-0 in the second leg, it will be United who go through winning on away goal advantage. But the scoring spree they are currently on, you can surely expect Madrid to have a lot of attempts on goal. United themselves have scored eight goals in the last three matches, since they last played Madrid, it is thus fair to expect goals pouring in at Old Trafford.
But United can by no stretch of imagination be considered the underdogs here, they are one team who have the never die spirit and they will certainly give their all to emerge victorious in tomorrow’s important clash.
