Cristiano Ronaldo: Star Must Shine Against Manchester United

Slated to face his former team, star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo must be at his best when Real Madrid faces Manchester United on Wednesday in a Champions League match.

The Red Devils are playing their best soccer of late, as Man U hasn't dropped a match since Dec. 5 against CFR Cluj-Napoca.

Since that time, the Red Devils have run the English Premier League table, boasting 65 points while second-place Manchester City holds 53.

The Whites haven't enjoyed quite the same success as Man U, but they still own 46 points in the La Liga table, which ranks third to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo has been above and beyond the best player for the Whites, scoring 24 goals and adding four assists in league play this season.

If Real Madrid is going to overcome powerhouse Manchester United, Ronaldo will have to play at his highest level against his former team.

This matchup comes at an interesting time for Ronaldo, as the 28-year-old midfielder recently admitted that the best time of his life was when he was playing soccer in Old Trafford with the Red Devils (h/t ESPN).

Real Madrid fans will be hoping his recent comments don't affect his performance against his former club.

Ronaldo is coming off a stellar match against Sevilla, as he earned a hat trick en route to the Whites' 4-1 drubbing of the Red and Whites.

If the Whites are going to keep pace with Man U on Wednesday, Ronaldo will have to match the Red Devils' Robin van Persie, who owns 18 goals in league play this season.

ESPN reports that Ronaldo is averaging more than a goal per game since joining Real Madrid, a mark he'll have to mirror against the Red Devils.

Manchester United appears to be the better team, owning a more complete attack with the likes of van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández, who have each found the back of the net at least eight times.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, has seen Ronaldo score a majority of its goals—Real Madrid's next-leading scorer has eight goals—giving it a less balanced attack.

Given the fact that Ronaldo is practically the Whites' entire offensive attack, he'll have to be at his best in this Champions League clash on Wednesday for Real Madrid to earn the victory over Manchester United.

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