Manchester United will cross swords with Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
The Red Devils had topped Group F with 11 points, winning three, drawing two and losing one. They head to Spain off the back of a gritty 4-2 away win over Leeds United in the Roses derby.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, finished runners-up to Liverpool with seven points in Group B. The defending Spanish champions have had an inconsistent campaign but the 3-0 win over Osasuna over the weekend should lift their spirits ahead of a difficult tie against Manchester United.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United – Team News
Manchester United
Edinson Cavani has missed the last three games with a groin problem and remains doubtful in flying with the squad to Madrid. Tom Heaton is out with groin and stomach problems, but Nemanja Matic returned to the bench against Leeds United after missing the Red Devils’ last two league games with a shin injury.
David de Gea has been a permanent fixture in goal and that is unlikely to change on Wednesday evening. Ralf Rangnick is likely to recall Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof at right-back and centre-back respectively. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are set to retain their places in the Manchester United lineup.
The midfield three of Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba has been working well in recent weeks and Rangnick looks likely to start them against Atletico Madrid. Jadon Sancho, fresh from a superb performance against Leeds United, will start on the left with Marcus Rashford set to be recalled into the Manchester United lineup after being an unused substitute against Leeds.
With 25 goals in 35 games for Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo holds a formidable record against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese superstar is nailed on to lead the Man United attack at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are already without Yannick Carrasco, who will miss both ties against Manchester United after being sent off in their last group-stage match with Porto. Further, Daniel Wass, Matheus Cunha, Thomas Lemar and Benjamin Lecomte are all doubts for the first leg after they missed training over the weekend.
Antonio Griezmann may feature, though, having just returned from an injury that kept him sidelined since mid-December.
Jan Oblak is not having the best of seasons in Atletico Madrid goal but he should keep his place in the Atletico Madrid lineup. Ahead of Oblak, a back four of Sime Vrsaljko, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez and Renan Lodi is expected to start. They will have to be at their best to stop their old nemesis—Cristiano Ronaldo—at bay on Wednesday.
A big European night ahead 🌟 pic.twitter.com/RzdPT7yykV
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 21, 2022
Koke will partner Hector Herrera in midfield, as the duo look to stop the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba from influencing the play in the final third. Marcos Llorente and Joao Felix should start out wide, with Luis Suarez partnering Angel Correa upfront for the Rojiblancos. Antoine Griezmann will be a solid attacking option to have on the bench.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United – Predicted Lineups
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes; Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford
Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Sime Vrsaljko, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez, Renan Lodi; Joao Felix, Koke, Hector Herrera, Marcos Llorente; Luis Suarez, Angel Correa
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United – Key Players
Manchester United—Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be firing all cylinders for Manchester United of late but he is a big-game player who simply comes alive in the coveted Champions League competition. Mr Champions League for a reason, the 37-year-old will be raring to make his mark again in Spain and haunt Atletico Madrid. Certainly, he has the ingredients to inspire the Red Devils to a first-leg advantage.
Atletico Madrid—Luis Suarez
Goals have come at a premium rate for Luis Suarez, who still has a decent tally this season. The 35-year-old marksman will have to lead his Atletico Madrid teammates by example and become the decisive factor in matches, starting with Man United. A 40-yard beauty against Osasuna over the weekend should have given him a lot of confidence ahead of the big Champions League game.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Manchester United