Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was full of praise for the job Ralf Rangnick has done at Manchester United ahead of the two teams meeting on Wednesday.
United have made the journey over to the Spanish capital ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
The competition represents the Reds’ last hope of picking up some silverware this season, while their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League lie in the balance as they remain locked in a race for the top four in the Premier League.
Although they have picked up a couple of much-needed wins over the past week, there are still plenty of question marks over Rangnick’s side, despite a general upturn in results since the German’s arrival.
But Simeone lavished praise on his opposite number ahead of their meeting at the Wanda Metropolitano, calling United “one of the best in the world” and insisting Rangnick has given the team "solidity, teamwork, commitment” since arriving as interim boss.
"It [United] has evolved and it is an intense, dynamic team, which from midfield upwards has courage, with very good individual players, and who collectively make the effort to bring together talent,” Simeone said in his pre-match press conference.
“It will be a tough and difficult game, but we are excited to be with our people and to be lucky enough to at least play the round of 16 at home.
"It is difficult to find places where they have mistakes.
"We always value the rival for their positive things and we will prepare for everything to the best of our ability and to find ways to hurt them."
Atletico are also facing a fight to qualify for next season’s competition, with Simeone’s side currently sitting fifth in La Liga.
Despite the Spanish champions’ disappointing season, the Argentine is hopeful they can replicate some of their best form against United, having picked up a win at the weekend over Osasuna.
"I cling to the day to day, to daily growth, to the search for the spirit to be present and the other day there was a great spirit, which does not need to be expressed in words because you can see it.
“Hopefully we can have it against Manchester because that way we always compete very well."
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