Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Champions League 2021-22
It's all to play for as Manchester United host Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Atletico Madrid were utterly dominant in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano. They let Manchester United have plenty of the ball but hit them relentlessly with counter attacks. The Red Devils lacked sharpness and Atletico Madrid will rue their wasted opportunities as the game ended 1-1.
Joao Felix put the Rojiblancos ahead as early as the seventh minute of the game with a thumping header. It looked like they would be able to carry over that slender lead into the second leg until Bruno Fernandes released Anthony Elanga into space in the 80th minute.
The youngster finished emphatically to restore parity in the tie to set up a do-or-die encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. Manchester United have since drawn at Watford and been humiliated by Manchester City.
But quite encouragingly, it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo has found his mojo back at just the right time for Manchester United. The Portuguese international scored a glorious hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur as Manchester United beat the North Londoners 3-2 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The flick 👌
The finish 🤯
@Cristiano broke the #MUNTOT deadlock in style 🔓👌
#MUFC | @RemingtonUK https://t.co/OEkMvXIHbI
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have hit a rich vein of form. They've won their three games since the first leg against Manchester United with a combined scoreline of 7-2.
Diego Simeone knows that his men should have put the tie to bed at the Wanda Metropolitano and will be hoping for a better end product from his players on Tuesday. Ralf Rangnick's tricky Reds are unpredictable and Cristiano Ronaldo is looking sharper than he has all season.
This is expected to be a very exciting encounter with everything to play for. Diego Simeone will hope that he can finally overcome the Cristiano Ronaldo curse and take his side to the quarter-finals.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Head-to-Head
Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have met thrice till date. Atletico Madrid have won once while two games have ended in a draw. The last time the two sides locked horns was three weeks ago in the first leg which ended 1-1.
Manchester United form guide: W-D-D-L-W
Atletico Madrid form guide: W-D-W-W-W
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Team News
Mancester United
Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes missed the game against Tottenham Hotspur with a calf issue and illness respectively. Both are doubts for this one. Luke Shaw is expected to return to the side on Tuesday after a bout of COVID-19.
Injuries: None
Doubtful: Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw
Suspensions: None
Atletico Madrid
5 games
5 goals
1 João Félix https://t.co/LK546ljJJx
Yannick Carrasco is suspended for both legs against Manchester United. Atletico Madrid have a long list of injuries. Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass are both long-term absentees. Geoffrey Kondogbia will face a late fitness test and is a doubt for Tuesday.
Thomas Lemar has suffered a thigh injury and could miss out as well. Jose Maria Gimenez is another player who has been ruled out for three weeks after picking up a calf injury in the win against Cadiz. Sime Vrsaljko is also injured.
Injuries: Jose Maria Gimenez, Mathues Cunha, Daniel Wass, Sime Vrsaljko
Doubtful: Thomas Lemar, Geoffrey Kondogbia
Suspensions: Yannick Carrasco
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles; Fred, Scott McTominay; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho; Cristiano Ronaldo
Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Jan Oblak; Stefan Savić, Felipe, Reinildo; Llorente, Hector Herrera, Koke, Rodrigo De Paul, Renan Lodi; João Félix, Antoine Griezmann
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Manchester United will dig their heels in and try to keep Atletico Madrid at bay on Tuesday. With Ronaldo in fine form, they will fancy their chances. Diego Simeone's side have been depleted due to injuries. The Red Devils should be able to come away with a precious win here.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Atletico Madrid