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In one of the standout fixtures of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Atletico Madrid will welcome Manchester United to the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
The hosts secured their place in the knockout stage with a 3-1 win at Porto on matchday six, finishing second in Group B. Manchester United, meanwhile, finished atop the Group F standings, ahead of Villarreal.
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This will be just the third meeting between United and Atletico across competitions. They last met in the erstwhile Cup Winners' Cup in 1991-92, also in the Round of 16.
Atletico Madrid overpowered the Premier League giants 3-0 at home that time, while the second leg ended 1-1. Since then, United have lifted the Champions League twice (in 1999 and 2008) while the hosts finished runners-up in the competition twice (2014 and 2016).
As the two clubs battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals, we take a look at five players to watch out for in the first leg:
#5 Luis Suarez | Atletico Madrid
Luis Suarez might not have found his scoring boots this season. However, his wealth of experience in the competition makes him one of the most dangerous players on the pitch.
The Uruguayan striker has scored 27 goals in the competition so far, with only one of them coming this campaign. Since moving to Atletico Madrid, he won the La Liga title last season. He might now lead them past the Round of 16 for the first time in two years.
Suarez scored a 40-yard stunner off his weaker foot in the hosts' 3-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga over the weekend. The goal provided a glimpse of his abilities. He might be a handful to Manchester United, who conceded eight goals in the group stage.
#4 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes' impact at Manchester United cannot be understated. The Portuguese midfielder has been one of the most creative players for the Premier League giants since his arrival at Old Trafford in January 2020.
He leads the club in key passes this season in the Champions League (3.6 per 90) and Premier League (2.9 per 90). He is the club's joint-leading goalscorer in the English top flight with nine goals, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Only Paul Pogba has more assists in the league for the club (eight) this season than Fernandes (six). The Portuguese also has six assists to his name in the Champions League. It is likely interim manager Ralf Rangnick could build his team around the attacking midfielder in this game at Atletico.
#3 Angel Correa | Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco in attack, but it is Angel Correa who has stood out for them this season. Carrasco has delivered some great performances during the season, but is suspended for the first leg.
Correa is the only Atletico player to hit double digit in goals in La Liga this season. He has three goals in his last three games for the club. With seven strikes this year, he is only behind Robert Lewandowski for most goals in Europe's top five leagues this year. He found the back of the net just eight minutes after coming on as a substitute in the league game against Osasuna.
He started four times from the bench in the Champions League group stage, but is expected to spearhead the attack against the visitors.
#2 Jadon Sancho | Manchester United
Jadon Sancho might be a questionable inclusion in this list, but the speedy winger might run the show against Atletico for few reasons.
Firstly, he has found some form with Manchester United in recent fixtures. He has scored twice and picked up two assists in his last five games across competitions.
Secondly, he could exploit Los Rojiblancos' weakness at the full-back positions. Kieran Trippier's departure in January has forced Simeone with very few options to choose from.
As was seen in Atletico's 4-2 La Liga loss at Barcelona when Adama Traore ran riot on the flanks, Sancho's pace could reap similar dividends.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United
The matchup has assumed great significance, as it will see Cristiano Ronaldo, the Champions League all-time top-scorer, face one of his favourite opponents.
The Portuguese forward has faced the reigning La Liga champions 35 times across competitions, scoring 25 goals and picking up five assists.
He has won two finals against Real Madrid's cross-city rivals. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to help Juventus overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg of their Round of 16 clash in 2018-19. That marked a fifth time Atletico fell short against Ronaldo's team in the Champions League.
Atletico have been known for their defensive solidity in recent years, but have been uncharacteristically porous this season. They have conceded eight goals in the Champions League group stage, and could struggle to contain Ronaldo, who has six goals in the competition this season.
