After an extended break and several poor performances, Manchester United return to Champions League action with a trip to Madrid to face Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. 

In United’s last Champions League tie, Michael Carrick’s side performed well with an impressive 4-0 win, with goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Šeško and Lisandro Martínez. 

However, since the 4-0 win, United have struggled: a loss to a 10-man Manchester City side, an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to Brighton and Hove Albion, a lucky draw with Fulham, and another poor home performance against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break. 

Last time out, Manchester United were humbled by Spurs, who are still in the bottom three of the Premier League, and were lucky to score when Bryan Mbeumo gave them the lead in the second half. Despite ending the game against 10 men, United failed to hold on once again, leaving Old Trafford in a cacophony of boos. 

The trip to the Spanish capital will be crucial for Michael Carrick’s future at the club, though United have never beaten Atletico in a competitive fixture. 

With only two full days to recover from the draw against Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, 13 October (today). 

The game is due to kick off at 20:00 BST, as part of the first round of Champions League fixtures in gameweek two. 

Manchester United travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first time since Anthony Elanga’s late equaliser in the Spanish capital under Ralf Rangnick in February 2022. 

Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United will be shown on Amazon Prime Video, as the one and only match available on the streaming service this week. 

Pre-match build-up will also be available on Manchester United’s official channel, MUTV. 

The UtdDistrict X account will also cover the fixture, providing pre- and post-match quotes from Carrick and the players, as well as live commentary throughout the 90 minutes.

After a difficult 90 minutes against Tottenham, Kobbie Mainoo has not travelled to Madrid with the United squad, which will no longer be confirmed ahead of Champions League games. United reportedly believes that confirming the squad hands an advantage to their opponents. 

Luke Shaw has also remained in Manchester, leaving United without a natural senior left-back against Atletico Madrid, though young Harry Amass has travelled with the first-team squad. 

Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui remain absent, as does Benjamin Šeško, who has left Manchester United without a natural centre-forward. Mbeumo filled in against Spurs but looked poor until he scored in the 73rd minute.