Ralf Rangnick explains what he expects to happen in the second leg of Manchester United v Atletico Madrid

Ralf Rangnick has said he expects Atletico Madrid to approach the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with the same energy as they demonstrated in the first meeting on Wednesday.

Manchester United drew 1-1 in the Spanish capital, with Joao Felix and Anthony Elanga grabbing the goals in a game where Atletico were organised, hard-working and flooded the centre of the pitch.

This massively reduced United’s chances to create attacks in the first leg, and Rangnick feels his side must improve at Old Trafford when they play each other again on 15 March, if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

“We are fully aware they will play like they always play,” the interim manager said in his post-match press conference.

“I expect them to play like exactly how they played today, but it’s on us to raise our level of energy, our level of aggression, also our level of conviction on the ball.

“We know that we can do that, we showed that today in the last half-hour, but also in quite a few games in the past. This is what it will all be about. Atletico will not play any different than today but we have to, and we can.”

How United improved

After a sloppy first-half showing at the Wanda Metropolitano, the Red Devils were much better after the break, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Rangnick said this was largely down to the introduction of his substitutes, and was also asked what he said to the players at half-time.

“I told them that this is just not enough, that we have to show more energy,” the German responded.

“We don’t have to speak about game plans or any tactical moves or tricks, it’s all about conviction, and being present on the pitch and believe in what you are doing no matter if the other team has the ball or we are in possession ourselves.

“This is what I told them, it is just not enough. It is the Champions League. The team fought the whole season last season to be in the Champions League and now being in the knockout phase you just have to rise to the demands of that moment.

“We did it after 60 minutes. With every substitution that came on we raised our level of performance. In the last 15/20 minutes we played exactly how I expected us to play from the start.”