Manchester United must play better in second leg to beat Atletico – Alex Telles

Alex Telles says Manchester United must “show a different face” if they are to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after super sub Anthony Elanga snatched a scarcely deserved 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid.

Ralf Rangnick’s side struggled in Spain for much of the last-16 first leg against Diego Simeone’s side, with Joao Felix’s fine header putting the hosts ahead at a rocking Wanda Metropolitano.

United floundered and their first Champions League knockout match in three years looked set to end in defeat, only for Elanga to score with their first shot on target shortly after coming on.

The 19-year-old substitute spared the Red Devils’ blushes on a night that fellow substitute Telles knows was not good enough.

“It’s obvious that the feeling is not the best because we wanted a win, actually,” the Brazil international said.

“But we are coming out of here with a great result. A good result for Old Trafford for the second leg.

“We know we are very strong at home. We need to prepare this game even better in order to try and get through to the next round.

“We are Manchester United players and we have to be the best all the time. We know of the greatness of the club.

“We know that the first half we didn’t play a proper Manchester United first half, so we knew that we had to be better in the second half.

“We are not entirely happy about the result but we know we’re coming out of here with a result that (means) we can actually go back to Old Trafford and win and go through to the next stage.

“But we know we have to show a different face in the second leg if we want to win.”

United were well below par for much of Wednesday’s first leg, lacking creativity and drive in possession until Elanga saved the day

Rangnick was full of