Evans Ready For Real

Jonny Evans has stressed that Wednesday night's Champions League blockbuster is not all about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Much of the pre-match focus ahead of the first leg has inevitably centred around the former United idol but Evans is fully aware of the galaxy of talent at Jose Mourinho's disposal, even if Ronaldo emphasised his status as the main danger-man with a brilliant hat-trick against Sevilla at the weekend.

The Northern Ireland international feels the Portuguese star has adjusted his game in La Liga and is an obvious threat to the Reds' European aspirations.

"I am sure one or two of the lads have kept in contact and Nani was on international duty with him," said Evans. "I don't know if he has spoken to anyone but I am sure he is looking forward to the game as much as we are. But I don't think it is just about Cristiano Ronaldo. It goes back further. There is the history of the two clubs. It is the glamour tie of the round. Everyone is looking forward to it.

"Cristiano has changed his game. He has adapted. When he was playing here, he was a right or left winger and expected to work back a lot. That was the way we played.

"I don't think Real Madrid play like that. He has adapted his game to suit them. But they don't just have Cristiano Ronaldo who can hurt you. They have a lot of different players who can cause you problems. He will be the one everyone will be looking to as the man to stop and we have to make sure we keep him quiet."

Evans also feels that the pressure is on United as well as Real, even though Mourinho's men have had to make the trophy an obvious priority this term after falling so far behind in the Spanish title race.

"We have had a great recent record in the Champions League until last year," explained the centre-back. "We have gathered that experience to make sure that we do progress and get to finals and semi-finals.

"I suppose Real Madrid have always had that. You are expected and if you don't do it, there is uproar. We have that pressure on us. I am sure it will be a great occasion and everyone is looking forward to it as much as we are."