Arsene Wenger feels Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo will feel the pressure when he faces former club Manchester United in Wednesday evening's Champions League last 16 clash.

The spotlight is on the Portugal captain as he attempts to give the Spanish champions an advantage in the first leg at the Bernabeu. The 28-year-old will later travel to Old Trafford, which he left for Real in 2009 in a record-breaking £80m move, for the return leg on 5 March.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Reuters

"Ronaldo's a great player and he can make the difference. But he is up against his former club and that will put him in the eye of a hurricane. We'll have to see just how he faces up to the return at Old Trafford," Wenger told the Daily Star.

"You could say that Real Madrid have an advantage in that they are not competing for the La Liga title and so they can concentrate on the Champions League. But on the other hand it is logical to assume that United have been resting players, and keeping their best tricks up their sleeves for this tie," the Arsenal manager pointed out.

Wenger also stated it would not be Sir Alex Ferguson who chooses the next manager of United.

The Scot had previously suggested that Jose Mourinho could one day succeed him at Old Trafford, fuelling plenty of rumours on that front. However, Wenger believes the Red Devils' owners are the only people who will eventually decide who succeeds the veteran.

"I don't know whether Ferguson will leave United so that Mourinho can replace him. But I don't think it will be Ferguson's decision. Right now, however, that is the least of his worries, with a game of this nature coming up. Real Madrid against Manchester United is as though the Champions League Final has been brought forward," the Frenchman added.

Meanwhile, Goal.com claims that Mourinho could be sacked as manager of Madrid, if he fails to guide the club past United in this round.

Portugal Manchester United FC Real Madrid