One of the wonders of watching soccer is the pleasure of seeing star players battle it out on the pitch. Major matches usually signify superstars upping their game to extraordinary levels that remain in the viewer's mind long after the match has played out. The Champions League battle between Real Madrid and Manchester United is one such match that has exorbitant stakes that should push its major stars into action.
The central storyline in the matchup will be the battle between Dutch star Robin Van Persie of Manchester and Cristiano Ronaldo of Madrid. Dutch legend and former Madrid star Ruud Van Nistelrooy stated that these two stars will make the difference in this match. "For me the difference will be the form of Cristiano and Van Persie. I think that one of these two players will make the difference." He added that Madrid has more quality but United is "very much a team" that battles for its star players.
The strikers will make the difference, but which club has the better arsenal of sharp shooters?
Manchester United
Key Players: Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney Javier Hernandez
Van Persie is the MVP for United and one of the reasons the team is in first place in the premier league. He has elite scoring ability and his strength on the ball is second to none. However, his play has been elevated by his tandem with Wayne Rooney who has figured out a way to complement his style to that of Van Persie. He has scored some clutch goals of late and gives United a bonafide one-two punch up top that will create major headaches for Madrid's defense.
Javier Hernandez is the wild card. If he plays, he gives United another lethal option that could simply be too much for Madrid to cover.
Read Madrid
Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain
Coach Jose Mourinho usually throws Ronaldo and either Benzema or Higuain up top to support him. Ronaldo has been talkative about his excitement for this match and if he is at the top of his game, then he is undoubtedly the best player on the pitch. Ronaldo has delivered for Madrid when the expectations are tantamount (see the three Clasico matches that ended 2012 or the Euro 2012 run) so he will likely be a tremendous force for the weak Manchester defense to reckon with.
The wild card in this matchup is the other striker that Mourinho pairs with Ronaldo. Benzema has the ability to be a premier striker, but the chances of him being a tremendous force are equal to those of him completely disappearing in games. Higuain is not in good graces with Mourinho and has struggled throughout the season.
Edge: Manchester United has a lethal group that has functioned like a well-trained unit all season long. However, if Ronaldo is at the peak of his game, then he can easily sway the advantage in Madrid's favor. It is even, with a slight edge to Manchester.
Read More:
Which Team Has the Better Midfielders?
Which Team Has the Better Defenders?
Which Team Has the Better Goalies?