Rio Ferdinand sends message to Manchester United after Gary Neville and Roy Keane criticism

Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand believes the Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid is a "great" opportunity for players to respond to recent criticism they've received.

United returned to winning ways on Saturday thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, after their defeat to Man City had prompted condemnation from former players Roy Keane and Gary Neville. Despite the win over Spurs, many United frailties continued as they were pegged back twice, relying on Ronaldo to rescue a 3-2 win.

Diego Simeone's side travel to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the tie finely poised at 1-1 and a place in the quarter finals at stake. And Ferdinand views the tussle as a chance for United to respond to criticism and build confidence.

He told the Mirror : "I think their heads did drop [against Man City] and the confidence is low. If the players were honest they would hold their hands up and say ‘yeah, to a point that did happen’.

"I’m more interested in the response to that defeat, how will these players respond? This is a great game now against Atletico Madrid to be able to respond to that criticism and I think this is a huge opportunity to get into the next round of the Champions League, to get some confidence and build momentum for the remainder of the season.

"I think it is all about how you respond in these situation – we have all played and had criticism levelled at us, but the question is about what are you going to do next. What are you going to do in your changing room to change the way people are seeing not only you, but your team.

"That is what Ralf Rangnick and all the Man United fans will want to see."