"I almost felt like we were at a funeral, that it was already dead and the end of the decade or whatever. It felt like it was the worst team I ever coached."
When questioned about Manchester United’s hopes of winning the Champions League, Ralf Rangnick was as pessimistic as anyone in reflection of their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.
However, on the back of beating Tottenham Hotspur courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, there is more vigour instilled in the United camp. It is a timely re-finding of form for Ronaldo, who, despite his inefficiency in the first leg of the concurrent round of 16 clash, has an exceptional record against Atletico Madrid, reading 25 goals in 35 appearances.
Although the attention is understandably on Ronaldo heading into Tuesday night's encounter, Rangnick has been quick to ensure the focus isn’t all on Ronaldo, assuring, "It's not just about Cristiano, it's about the whole team."
It will certainly have to be a staunch collective effort to prevent Diego Simeone’s rejuvenated side, now inside the top four in La Liga. Having recently failed to win in five successive away matches in the league, Atletico have come out on top in their last two outings on the road. Meanwhile, they have won each of their three matches since United's visit to the Wanda Metropolitano three weeks ago, extending to a run of four consecutive league wins.
Joao Felix, who scored in the seventh minute of the first leg in Madrid, has scored inside the opening three minutes in his side's last two matches, poised to spearhead the attack yet again.
United will have to be attentive to Atletico's ability to start with authority, unable to afford a start as poor as in the first leg amidst Felix's potency. United dominated possession in the Spanish capital, but it never felt as though they completely controlled affairs prior to Anthony Elanga's late equaliser.
The Spanish outfit will be without right-back Sime Vrsaljko for their trip to Manchester, with likelihood that regular midfielder Marcos Llorente will deputise in such role with captain Koke available again. Daniel Wass is missing, whilst important attacking influencers Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Lemar haven't travelled due to suspension and injury respectively. Matheus Cunha also remains absent.
United have everyone back in training after Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes completed isolation periods following positive COVID tests, though there are question marks over former after two matches sidelined.
"It’s possible we have some new players in the starting XI, but there is not that much reason to change too many positions," Rangnick suggested. "To start with, it's good to have everybody available - that's better than missing five or six players."
Momentum is on United's side after their weekend win against Spurs, though Atletico are in a rich vein of form themselves. It's fair to say, the tie is completely in the balance.
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