Manchester United cult hero Diego Forlan believes Ralf Rangnick’s side could give Atlético Madrid ‘a hard time’ when the two sides meet in the Champions League tomorrow.
United travel to the Wanda Metropolitano for the first leg of their last 16 clash on Wednesday evening, with the second leg scheduled for the middle of March.
They head into the game as slight favourites courtesy of a small uptick in form in the Premier League after wins over Leeds and Brighton.
Atlético’s form, meanwhile, has been up and down all season and that’s indicated in their form of late, with a 3-0 win over Osasuna preceded by a 1-0 defeat to bottom of the table Levante.
It means many believe Manchester United are more than capable of picking up an impressive result away from home in a game where they once would have been the underdogs.
Forlan certainly believes as much and, in previewing the clash between his former sides with Marca, claimed Rangnick could win the ‘chess game’ he’ll enter with Diego Simeone.
“Manchester have players who have a lot of change of pace, a lot of speed and who like one on one,” he said.
“Atletico Madrid are not at their best at the moment, so they are going to be wary of those counter-attacks.
“If it comes to a game where Manchester find that space and those long runs, Atletico could have a hard time.
“Atletico will have to keep their lines together to have a good chance of winning the game. It’s a nice game of chess for both coaches.”
