Manchester United welcome Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford in a must-win second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
With the tie locked at 1-1 after the first leg, both teams know that only victory would send them through to the Quarter-Finals..
A draw meanwhile would take the tie to extra-time and potentially penalties if still level after 30 additional minutes.
Team News
Luke Shaw could return for Man Utd after recovering from illness which forced him to miss their last two matches.
Scott McTominay (calf) and Bruno Fernandes (Coronavirus) are both doubts despite returning to training but Mason Greenwood (personal) remains absent.
Atletico could be without Jose Gimenez after he suffered a muscle injury in Friday’s La Liga win over Cadiz.
Geoffrey Kondogbia (hamstring), Mario Hermoso, Thomas Lemar (both muscle), Sime Vrsaljko (hip), Yannick Carrasco (suspension), Daniel Wass and Matheus Cunha (both knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd are winless in three previous meetings against Atletico Madrid in all UEFA competitions (D2, L1).
- Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 in their only previous competitive visit to Old Trafford in all UEFA competitions in November 1991 (D1).
- Each of Utd’s last two matches against Atletico have finished in 1-1 draws.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his two home appearances for Utd in Champions League this season, with the Red Devils winning on both occasions (W2).
- Atletico have conceded four goals in their three away matches in the Champions League so far this season.
Prediction
Following Saturday’s impressive win over Tottenham, Man Utd really should come into this game full of confidence if they can replicate their clinically energetic attacks, yet my only concern would be Harry Maguire because he was their only weak link with poor defending.
Atletico meanwhile were outplayed by Cadiz on Friday on the attack yet were ultimately the more clinical, which might stand them in good stead here but I feel like they might well need to raise their attacking game given Utd’s quality in that particular area.
This game should therefore be a tight battle if Utd can replicate Saturday’s performance but Atletico do have the defensive ability to cause issues and are fast starters, which should give Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils something to ponder in the opening minutes.
Now if Utd can keep it tight in the opening minutes and slowly impose themselves on the game to seize control, I can see them getting the win but this won’t be easy by any stretch.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Result: Manchester United 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Atletico Madrid win 2-1 on aggregate!!!)
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