LONDON: Manchester United are rank outsiders for the Champions League. The priority for interim manager Ralf Rangnick is finishing in the top four of the Premier League and ensuring qualification to rejoin Europe’s elite next season to maintain the club’s international profile and sponsorship attraction.

The 4-2 win at old enemy Leeds proved that United, in the right mood, can grit their teeth and battle for points. They went two-up in the first half through Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, conceded two goals in 90 seconds to Rodrigo and substitute Raphinha, then recovered command through Fred and Anthony Elanga.

Victory in heavy rain kept them in fourth place and pushed them four points clear of the pursuit of West Ham and Arsenal. That is a comfortable position from which to turn their attention to the Champions League this week.

Here Cristiano Ronaldo, substituted in the closing stages at Elland Road, holds the key. This is the opinion of former England and United defender Rio Ferdinand and despite of speculation about Ronaldo’s relationships with both Rangnick and captain Harry Maguire.

Ronaldo’s £13m return last summer has been only a qualified success. He has failed to adjust to Rangnick’s high-intensity style but is United’s nine-goal joint top scorer with Fernandes in the league and has claimed six in the Champions League.

Also, he has a remarkable record against Atletico.

Ronaldo has faced Atletico more times than any other opponents in his club career. He scored 25 goals and provided nine assists against them during his nine years at Real Madrid. He also collected 11 yellow cards, illustrating there is no love lost with Atletico.

Every knockout tie in the Champions League that Atletico lost between 2014 and 2019 was at the hands of a side containing Cristiano. He scored goals in their downfall in both the 2014 and 2016 finals. Later came a hat-trick against Atletico for Juventus in March 2019.

Ferdinand, an analyst for BT Sport which has Champions League rights in the UK, said: “In this competition, you can never bet against Ronaldo coming up trumps because he is the king of this competition in terms of goals and deciding big fixtures.”

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