CRISTIANO RONALDO will take to the field tonight as Manchester United kick-off their Champions League round of 16 clash with Atletico Madrid.
The last time the Portuguese played for the Red Devils at this stage of the competition was against Inter Milan 13 years ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 2009 strike
Sir Alex Ferguson’s defending champions took on reigning Serie A kings Inter at Old Trafford, having drawn 0-0 at the San Siro a fortnight earlier.
And Ronaldo and Co came through on a tense evening at Old Trafford.
Formidable centre-back Nemanja Vidic gave Fergie’s side the lead after just four minutes, before CR7 grabbed a second in the 49th to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation on the night, with legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar protected by the formidable Vidic and Rio Ferdinand partnership.
Patrice Evra and John O’Shea were at full-back, while Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick made up a star-studded midfield partnership.
Ronaldo, now 37, lined up on the right wing, with Ryan Giggs on the left.
Ronaldo, 37, nods past Julio Cesar
Wayne Rooney was partnered by Dimitar Berbatov upfront, as United dumped Jose Mourinho’s side out of the competition.
The Red Devils went on to beat Porto in the quarter-finals, before comfortably overcoming Arsenal in the semis.
They would lose 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the final, in what turned out to be the final match of Ronaldo’s first spell with the club.
This time around, United face Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo may be licking his lips going into the game, boasting a brilliant record against Diego Simeone’s men.
He has scored 25 goals in 35 matches against Atleti in his career, including FOUR hat-tricks.
Simeone, 51, is full of respect for United, saying in the build-up to the match: “We’re facing one of the best teams in the world in the last 14 games, if I’m not mistaken.”
Nemanja Vidic celebrates his effort
