If United target Ronaldo, it'll all end in defeat

Sky Sports have dubbed Real Madrid's Champions League encounter with Manchester United the 'Perfect Match' in the build up to the encounter between the two sides as the two giants of European football go head-to-head once again.

It's hardly a shock considering the strength in depth of both sides, with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic all stand out in stars in their respective positions up against Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It will be the first time the latter has come up against his former employers since swapping Old Trafford for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in 2009. Naturally, with his footballing capabilities, there have been a number of fans pondering how to stop the 28-year-old.

Do you double mark the Portugal ace? Was Phil Jones' remarkable attempts at stifling Marouane Fellaini during the 2-0 win over Everton enough to throw him into the starting XI? Whatever United do, they must not target just Ronaldo if they wish to secure a result in the Spanish capital.

When the Premier League side looked to do the same during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month, and hinder the impact of Gareth Bale, it allowed the likes of Clint Dempsey and Aaron Lennon to have a greater input over the 90 minutes, with the duo combining for the formers late equaliser.

Granted, Bale was stopped, but in targeting just Ronaldo, it will allow the likes of Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema to flourish in the space that would emerge as a result. 

Follow @BenMcAleer1