Ralf Rangnick says Manchester United can compete with the best teams in Europe ahead of the club’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
United take on the Spanish champions in the second leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday evening, with the tie poised at 1-1 following the first meeting at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Rangnick’s side are seeking to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for just the second time in eight seasons and the German has discussed his side’s ambition to prove they can take on Europe’s best teams.
“Yes, but for us it’s more about our own sporting ambition,” Rangnick told his pre-match press conference on the importance of Champions League football.
“We are highly ambitious, we want to proceed, we want to show that we can compete with the best teams in Europe and therefore we will try everything to win the game tomorrow.”
Winning the Champions League this season provides the Red Devils with another route into next season’s tournament, with the club currently fifth in the Premier League and facing a fight to return to Europe’s elite.
United are one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, but have played three more games than the Gunners in the league this season.
Rangnick insists his side cannot afford to drop more points in the Premier League, but says United will continue to work hard on both fronts as the club seek a successful end to the season.
“It doesn’t matter which way we qualify for Champions League next season. The question is what is most realistic. Tomorrow is Champions League and we’ll try everything we possibly can to win the game tomorrow to be in the last eight. Even if we manage to do that, there are other good teams in the competition.
“In three weeks, we have the next Premier League game against Leicester at home and we will still try to push to win the next games in the league. We are fully aware we shouldn’t be dropping points anymore. Arsenal are in good shape. They won again yesterday. We need to look after ourselves and win our games in the Premier League.
“Tomorrow, it’s a different competition, it’s Champions League and everyone in the squad is highly motivated.”
