Manchester United returned yesterday (Wednesday) from Madrid with a 1-1 draw against Atletico, a result that shifts the decision to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils put up a poor first half, falling behind a goal from Joao Felix, but managed to equalize thanks to an unexpected hero in the character of young Anthony Alanga.
"It can only get better from here, I still can't believe we looked like that in the first half," manager Ralph Rangnick said at the end.
"We played without aggression so we had a hard time. In the second half we improved. If we had played another 10 minutes we might have won the game. I was very disappointed with the first half, we were too worried and did not take risks."
Rangnik complimented Langa, who came off the bench and scored the equalizer: "He plays like it's a dream come true for him, it's happiness and fun to see him play, I wish some other players would take him as an example and role model. Football is a serious thing, especially for fans, but in the end it plays "And we should enjoy it. That's what I wish we had done especially in return."
Alanga himself is very excited after the goal he scored.
"I think it was my first touch of the ball. I dreamed of moments like that, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid, it's a dream come true. It's just a first half, we have to be ready for the second half at Old Trafford."
Alanga.
Fulfilling a dream, Photo: AP
19-year-old Alanga added: "I'm always calm, whenever I'm given a chance I want to give back to the coach and give 150 per cent when I get on the pitch. I want to be the best player on the pitch and I really appreciate the coach. He told me to make their defenders fearful. "From me and run from behind. I really wanted to bring a good result to our fans and who came from afar."
"Alone in the Square": Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated
Whoever was less pleased yesterday is team star Cristiano Ronaldo, who recorded a disappointing evening and failed to threaten Atletico's goal.
In one case his frustration stood out when several wide balls came to the field, but he found himself alone among the United players.
"Who's in the box? You have Ronaldo here alone and you have eight players in red and white uniforms against one player in the box. Look at his reaction, it means everything, frustration, getting out and signaling - only one player," former player Rio Ferdinand explained on British television .
Ferdinand yesterday analyzed the problems of Manchester United in his opinion.
"I do not think they can win the Champions League. I think they do not come close to it. Yes, it is a knockout competition but I see three, four maybe five teams ahead of Manchester to go all the way. You have to show consistency, perform both at home and abroad. "Out and finish the job. You see them this season going one step forward and then suddenly two steps back."
Ferdinand cited Ronaldo and Cavani's advanced age as an example of the club's poor purchasing policy, in his view.
"If a manager comes he can make this team of players play very well and suddenly everything will be easier. But there is still a purchase problem. You think of the two strikers, Cabani and Cristiano, aged 37 and 34. This is not the Manchester United striker. "Right? Really?"
Ferdinand estimates United will have a hard time attracting the big stars to Old Trafford, something that has never been an issue for them over the last 20 years.
"How do you sell the dream to players then? That's the big thing. You talk about recruiting players, say you're going to get one of the top young talent in the world, how do you sell the club for him? There has to be direction, understanding where he's going. You want to win. "United do not give it, they can not say it."
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