Despite how inconsistent Manchester United are especially in the Premier League, the head coach of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone claims that the English side are currently one of the best teams in the world.
Diego Simeone said this ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match.
Manchester United qualified for the round of 16 after topping their group while Atletico Madrid waited until the last day of the group stage to qualify for the next round of this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign.
Despite how fair the form of Manchester United have been in the UEFA Champions League this season, they are temporarily occupying the 4th spot on the Premier League table. They have managed to win 13 games, record 7 draws and recorded 6 defeats in the league.
United’s inconsistent performance has managed to give the club just 46 points in 26 games. Clubs like Arsenal, Wolves, and Tottenham Hotspur that have a couple of games in hand have a high chance of displacing United on the 4th spot.
On the other hand, Atletico Madrid have been struggling in the Spanish La Liga despite being the league’s defending champions. So far this season, the Spanish side have managed to win 12 games, draw 6 times, and record 7 defeats.
They are currently sitting on the 5th spot with 42 points in 25 games, on equal points with 4th placed FC Barcelona.
Diego Simeone and his boys are going into the UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United later today after recording three victories and two defeats in their last five games.
On the other hand, Manchester United are going into the Champions League match after recording two wins, two draws, and a defeat in their last five games.
What Diego Simeone said about Manchester United
Ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United which will kick off at 21:00 later today, February 23, 2022, coach Diego Simeone said Manchester United have proven to be among the best teams in the world based on their performance in the last 14 games.
The coach said: “We’re facing one of the best teams in the world in the last 14 games if I’m not mistaken,” Simeone said. “They’ve just lost one. With the new manager, Ralf Rangnick, it’s given the team solidity, teamwork, commitment.
“We can see what Manchester United was always like. They’ve evolved since the new manager arrived, they’re already fourth in the league.
“It’s an intense, dynamic team, very brave, with very good forwards, very good footballers overall and who try to make a huge effort to try and unite the huge talents they have in 11 players.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game, as every Champions League game is. But we have a lot of anticipation to play in our stadium in front of our fans and we’re lucky to play the last 16 at home because we couldn’t play that, we couldn’t do that last year.”
🗣 "In their last 14 matches, I haven't seen a bad game."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 23, 2022
Diego Simeone says we are starting to see the Manchester United that everyone expects pic.twitter.com/HHStoYuELd
Coach Diego Simeone has a lot of injuries worries ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United UCL Clash
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will go into the UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester United with a series of injuries worries.
For instance, the club’s captain Koke, the club’s returnee Antoine Griezmann, and Yannick Carrasco might not be available for the Champions League game due to fitness issues.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United head to head
Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have played themselves once (home and away) in a European club competition. The tie was in the 1991-1992 Cup Winners’ Cup.
In the first leg in Madrid, Atletico Madrid beat Manchester United 3-0. While in the second leg, Manchester United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.
Hence, Manchester United have recorded a draw and a defeat against Atletico Madrid while the Spanish side have enjoyed a win and a draw against United.
Diego Simeone proving he hasn't lost his touch 😅 pic.twitter.com/Re7wckE7T9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 23, 2022
