Santillana hopeful of Real progression

Former Real Madrid star Santillana says Manchester United will allow his former club to dominate possession in their clash on Tuesday.

Former Real Madrid star Santillana says Manchester United will allow his former club to dominate possession in their clash on Tuesday.

The two giants meet in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie at Old Trafford with the match delicately poised after a 1-1 finish at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And Santillana remains optimistic about Real’s chances of making it to the next round.

“United don’t like having the ball too much, they will probably allow Madrid to dominate possession and play a similar game to the one they played at the Bernabeu,” Santillana told Efe.

“The approach used against Barca will suit us perfectly against United. If Madrid can exert the same pressure as they did against Barca, Man United will find it very difficult to build moves from the back.

“And for the speed with which Madrid have on the break, a plan like that would function well, I think. We will be up against more difficulties, though, because they won’t let us hit them on the break like Barca do.”