Real Madrid vs Manchester United: Return of the Prince

Real Madrid vs Manchester United, the tie of the round. Everyone is talking about it, but here’s the real question:

Will the prince of Manchester come back to haunt United? Let me tell you first hand that this is not a title Cristiano Ronaldo has formally accepted, but a title he truly deserves.

There is not another title that truly suits this footballing God, one he has earned by showing his unmatched skill with the ball at every single club or team he has played for. His performances this season have not matched his performances from last year, but it is clear that Real Madrid cannot cope without the brilliance of this man.

De Gea is the keeper who is likely to start for Manchester United, and as we have seen this season, he will definitely face some problems against the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuain. Real Madrid’s strike force together scored 113 goals last season, a record in La Liga. The ball will obviously travel to Ronaldo the most, which will create a lot of problems for Rafael and Evra, the likely wingbacks who will start for Manchester United. Rafael will be high on morale after his inspiring performance at the Theatre of Dreams against Everton, a fixture in which Manchester United won 2-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table by 12 points. Ronaldo will also be boosted by his sublime performance against Sevilla, in which he scored 3 goals and assisted 1 as Real Madrid came up victorious 4-1. This was Ronaldo’s 20th hattrick for Real Madrid, yet another amazing figure. Manchester United still have one advantage, as Madrid number 1 and captain Iker Casillas is out with a fractured hand. Moreover, he is likely to miss the second leg as well.

Talking about the overall form of the 2 teams, Manchester United are in red-hot touch, having been unbeaten since November 17, while Madrid have lost 1 and drawn 1 of their last 5 matches. United have only lost 3 and drawn 2 in the Premier League this season, and top the table with 65 points from 26 matches,while Real Madrid on the other hand have lost 5 and drawn 4, ranking third in La Liga with just 46 points from 23 games, 16 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Manchester United are their most lethal in the first 15 minutes, scoring 15 goals in this time period, and are the most vulnerable between the 46th and 60th minute, having conceded 10 goals. Madrid have been at their best from 61 minutes to 75 minutes, having scored 16 goals, and have been at their most vulnerable between minutes 16 and 30, and minutes 61 and 75, having conceded 5 goals during each of these time frames.

Manchester United top scorer (2012-13 season): Robin van Persie – 23 goals all competitions.Real Madrid top scorer (2012-13 season): Cristiano Ronaldo – 36 goals all competitions

Manchester United squad: De Gea, Lindegaard; Büttner, Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic; Anderson, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Valencia, Young; Hernandez, Kagawa, Rooney, van Persie, Welbeck.

Real Madrid squad: Diego Lopez, Adam, Jesus; Varane, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Albiol, Coentrao, Arbeloa, Carvalho; Alonso, Di Maria, Khedira, Essien, Kaka, Modric, Özil , Callejon; Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuain.

The last time Manchester United met Real Madrid in the Champions League, Ronaldo was Real Madrid’s best player, Manchester United’s top striker was a Dutchman, and Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be retiring the following season.

First Leg: 13th February, 19:45 GMT : Santiago Bernabéu Stadium; Madrid, SpainSecond Leg: 5th March, 19:45 GMT : Old Trafford Stadium; Manchester, England