Manchester United return to Champions League action with a trip to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday at 8pm (UK time).
The Red Devils go into this game in poor form, winless in their past four games across all competitions. That was since they opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah. But this game marks the start of a tricky trio of away games. After travelling to Madrid, Man Utd then face Leeds United at Elland Road before meeting Como in Italy.
Atletico Madrid are enjoying a much better season domestically. Diego Simeone‘s side sit second in La Liga with six wins from eight, drawing one and losing one. That includes victory over Real Madrid before the international break. But they did lose their opening Champions League game. Against Premier League opposition too. The Rojiblanco lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield last month and will be wary of another defeat.
This will be just the fifth time these sides have met, with Man Utd yet to win — two draws, two defeats.
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd team news
Man Utd team news
When it rains, it pours. Man Utd have had a few doubts added to their injury worries following the draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Kobbie Mainoo was not in training on Monday and is now a doubt for the trip to Madrid. Carlos Baleba came on for his club debut having suffered with his own injury problems, but is unlikely to go straight in from the start here. So Andrey Santos could come in to replace Mainoo as Youri Tielemans‘ partner, with Manuel Ugarte still injured.
Luke Shaw also missed training, throwing Man Utd’s defence into a possible change. Diogo Dalot could come in at left-back — with Patrick Dorgu still injured — leaving Leny Yoro on the right. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez would continue as the centre-back duo, as Matthijs de Ligt is not yet ready to return. Noussair Mazraoui is also still injured, limiting Man Utd’s options.
There may be a change in attack. Amad Diallo made his return from injury at the weekend, but this may be too soon for him to start two games in quick succession. Bryan Mbeumo could drop to right wing, with Matheus Cunha replacing him at the peak of the attack. That would allow Marcus Rashford to start on the left, with Bruno Fernandes remaining as the No.10. Benjamin Sesko is unavailable through injury.
Atletico Madrid team news
Simeone opted for a back three against Liverpool, but is unlikely to continue that, sticking with his back-four system for the rest of the season so far. The back four will include former Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, who will no doubt relish another chance to get at some Premier League attackers. Marcos Llorente, Alejandro Grimaldo and David Hancko should complete the defence, with the latter having been partially rested at the weekend.
Jonathan David is expected to lead the line for Atletico Madrid, still being favoured ahead of Julian Alvarez. Alexander Sorloth made a cameo appearance against Deportivo Alaves at the weekend, his first minutes of the season due to injury. Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena are likely to return to the attack after some rotation at the weekend, with Ademola Lookman and Pablo Barrios dropping out.
Koke and Johnny Cardoso will be the double-pivot, and will be key to Atletico Madrid commanding the midfield battle. Jorge Castillo and Morten Hjulmand are other options, however, as is Llorente should Marc Pubill start at right-back.
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd predicted lineups
Atletico Madrid (4-2-3-1): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Koke, Cardoso; Simeone, Lee, Baena; David.
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Tielemans; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.