Manchester United 0-1 Atletico Madrid: 5 talking points as Renan Lodi fires Los Rojiblancos into the last eight | UEFA Champions League 2021-22 

#3 Diego Simeone silences his critics at Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone masterminded Atletico Madrid's victory over Manchester United

Diego Simeone is inarguably the greatest manager in Atletico Madrid's history. Under his watch, Los Rojiblancos have morphed from an average side in La Liga into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

The club finally won a second La Liga title last term, but their implosion this season saw their title defense end before it truly began.

A push to be more attack-minded saw Atletico Madrid lose their famed defensive solidity, and the net result was a loss of identity on the field.

Questions were asked of Diego Simeone's tactics, with many believing that his trophy-laden 11-year spell in the dugout should come to an end.

Things got to a head when Atletico Madrid suffered a harrowing 1-0 defeat on home turf to a Levante side that had previously won just one match all season.

At that point, the club found themselves outside the top four. They also suffered an early elimination from the Copa del Rey after a 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad in January.

However, Diego Simeone thrives best when the odds are stacked against him, and he has since gotten his team back on track.

A five-game winning streak in La Liga has put the club right back in pole position for a top-four finish. Their victory at Old Trafford also sees them through to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

In this form, the rest of the continent will do well to take note of a resurgent Atletico Madrid.

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#2 Manchester United's trophyless run set to enter a sixth year

Manchester United last won a trophy in 2017

Manchester United were once the most dominant club in English football by a country mile. A trophyless season was practically an anomaly under Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, those golden years are fast becoming a distant memory, and the Red Devils have seen their previous subjects usurp them on the throne.

A constant rotation of managers has hardly helped their cause, and the Old Trafford outfit seem stuck in a never-ending quagmire of mediocrity.

Having suffered early eliminations from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the UEFA Champions League represented their last hope of a trophy this season.

The club's fluctuating standards meant this was not a realistic goal. However, Chelsea's unforeseen triumph in 2012 gave the staunchest supporters hope of an unlikely European glory.

The Red Devils' elimination by Atletico Madrid has sent them crashing back to reality. A 20-point deficit in the league also means their trophy drought is set to enter a sixth year.

Manchester United last tasted glory when they won the UEFA Europa League in 2017, while their league drought is about to stretch into a decade.

Furthermore, their elimination from the continent means they are in real danger of missing out on Europe's top prize next season owing to their poor league form.

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#1 What next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

It may not be feasible for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford at this point in his career

Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational return to Manchester United has not gone to plan. This is a far cry from the projections of title contention that greeted his return to the league.

In many ways, the Portugal international has been a victim of his own high standards. A return of 18 goals and three assists in 33 matches across all competitions is not nearly as bad as detractors are making it out to be.

Ronaldo's impressive record against Atletico Madrid and his hat-trick on Saturday heightened expectations. However, the Madeira native was largely anonymous as Manchester United crashed out of Europe.

He was unable to hide his frustration at full-time as the cameras panned on him. Questions will be asked of what the future holds for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

With Manchester United unsure of making the top four, there is every possibility that 'Mr. Champions League' could miss his favorite competition for the first time in 20 years.

Knowing the 37-year-old, he is likely to face the challenge and give his all, as a move away from Old Trafford might not be feasible at this stage of his career.