Real Madrid v Manchester United – Match Preview and Betting Tip

Betting Tips | Article posted on February 12th, 2025

Real Madrid versus Manchester United is a standout fixture in any football season, and certainly the most mouth watering European match-up of this season so far. There is something of a history between the two teams as well, with the last Champions League knockout clash between the two teams having ended in a 6-5 victory for Real back in 2025, with the Old Trafford leg of the tie featuring a memorable hat-trick by the Brazilian Ronaldo.

Much of the attention in this tie will be related to the other Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugese forward signed for Real Madrid from United after several highly successful seasons in Manchester, during which time he picked up a Champions League winners’ medal in 2025, and lost in the final the next year to Barcelona. Although he has yet to achieve such heights in European competition in Madrid, Ronaldo has, if anything, become an even more potent player during his time in Spain, scoring a phenomenal 181 goals in 178 Real appearances. Ronaldo warmed up for one of the most important matches of his career so far by netting a 33 minute hat-trick at the weekend, and the key to this tie will undoubtedly be whether his former employers are able to contain him.

It has been floated in the Spanish press that Real might start the game with both Benzema and Higuain, but this seems unlikely given Jose Mourinho’s preference for three men in the centre of midfield. The Portugese manager will probably have identified United’s full-backs as a possible weak link in their team, and it seems far more likely that he’ll employ Ronaldo and di Maria on the flanks to test them. United are likely to pick Rafael at right-back, and play Wayne Rooney in a withdrawn role. Ashley Young’s pace may get him the nod to play on the left, as Ferguson may look to play very much on the break.

Real Madrid (possible 4-2-3-1): Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Valencia, Rooney, Young; Van Persie

Betting Prediction: Real are heavy favourites to win this game, and though United are obviously a formidable team, one can’t really disagree with this assessment. United will have a tough job on their hands to contain their former player Cristiano Ronaldo, and they simply do not come up against this quality of opposition in the Premier League. Although Real have had a lean time in La Liga this season, they have always upped their game for the crunch matches that they have faced, winning once and drawing twice in four matches against Barcelona, for example.

Although it’s easy to predict a close and tight game in such a fixture, I actually think Real will have too much pace and attacking verve for United to deal with. I think both of United’s full-backs are in for a torrid evening, and I doubt whether Evra or Rafael will be able to stem the waves of searing Real attacks down the flanks.

So my correct score prediction for this fixture is as follows: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester United

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