Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin Van Persie may be the key figures in Tuesday's Champions League, but the two team's respective midfields will be the most integral to the battle. Which team possesses the better midfield - Manchester United or Real Madrid?
Manchester United
Key players: Michael Carrick, Shinji Kagawa, Tom Cleverly, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney.
Rooney is not a midfielder, but Sir Alex Ferguson has often placed him in a striking midfield position to provide support for Robin Van Persie up top. Kagawa has been the driving force throughout the season and will need to step up his game to take down an aggressive Madrid defense. Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia lead the midfield with four assists apiece in the Premier League. Kagawa has two goals and two assists in league competition.
Real Madrid
Key players: Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric
Modric has not had the impact many expected him to have this season and it is likely he sits to start the game. Sami Khedira, known for his defensive prowess, has been excellent of late for Madrid on the offensive side of the ball recently. Angel Di Maria has been inconsistent but can provide the occasional goal. Nothing needs to be said about the always dependable Xabi Alonso. The real X-factor in this midfield is Mesut Ozil. He is one of the greatest midfielders in the world when he is on the top of his game; the problem is that this is not always the case when he plays in a Real Madrid jersey. He has scored four goals this season to match last season's total, but he only has six assists (he had 17 last season).
Edge: The Madrid midfield is more talented all around, but Manchester's has produced consistently all season. If Madrid is at the top of their game, they win this match up. But based on this season's consistency Manchester gets the edge.