Ralf Rangnick has urged Manchester United fans to replicate the same atmosphere they generated against Tottenham on Saturday evening when they host Atletico Madrid tonight. United face the Spanish champions in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday with the scores level after the first match.
United will need to call on all of their experience if they are to secure another famous victory in Europe, and interim manager Rangnick believes creating a hostile atmosphere will be crucial if they are to succeed.
Speaking ahead of the match, Rangnick cited a conversation he had with Tottenham manager Antonio Conte over the weekend and how they both agreed that the Old Trafford crowd played a key role in their stunning 3-2 win.
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"It's 1-1, we play at home and we have to make sure that playing at home is an advantage for us," Rangnick told club media. "This is what Antonio Conte said after the game, it was a very difficult atmosphere. As I said, it's one of the biggest compliments that you can get if an opponent's coach speaks after the game of a difficult atmosphere for them, a special atmosphere.
"This is what we have to realise. We have to bring our supporters behind us, even more so than they normally are anyway so we have to play in a way so that the fans can really carry us all through the game."
When asked what type of threat Atletico pose, Rangnick admitted United need to aggression if they are to have any chance of progression to the quarter-final stage.
He added: "Especially against a team like this, who come exactly with this kind of approach, they will try to create those moments where it's about physicality. For us, it's about being ready for that and being aware of that, but also trying to avoid possession of the ball where they can easily get body contact on us.
"This is what we have to do."
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