'Ronaldo can lead Real past United'

Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night and Casillas is hoping for more of the same when the Spanish side visit Old Trafford for their last-16 second leg next week.

"Cristiano is vital for us. Right now he's in sensational form and gives us his maximum," he said. "We have a 1-1 draw from the first leg against United and we have to score and keep a clean sheet."It will be difficult as they also know how to play and their ground is tough to play at. We have to transfer what we did here at Camp Nou to Old Trafford." Progressing through to the Copa del Rey final will be a huge relief to Madrid, whose hopes of silverware this season had looked in some doubt with their Champions League bid hanging in the balance and their La Liga title defence in tatters. Madrid are currently 16 points adrift of Bara in La Liga, with the Catalan club also boasting a 12-point lead over second-placed Atltico Madrid with 13 games to go.