Manchester United travel to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, October 13, for their second match of the Champions League league phase. United won their opener 4-0 at home to Sabah, while Atlético lost 1-2 at Liverpool, making this an important early opportunity for both sides. Kick-off at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is 8pm BST.
United have never beaten Atlético in European competition. They have met four times in the Champions League era, with Atlético winning twice and the other two meetings ending in draws. Atlético eliminated United in the 2021-22 round of 16 after a 1-1 draw in Madrid and a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The article’s claim that United last beat Atlético in 2014 is incorrect. United’s only win against Atlético came in a pre-season friendly in August 2026, when they won 2-1. Their competitive European record against Atlético remains winless.
The claim of a “2-1 defeat at Anfield in the group stage last season” is also unsupported. Atlético’s most recent Champions League match was this season’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool; no previous group-stage meeting at Anfield is cited in the available reporting.
Atlético enter in strong domestic form. They are second in LaLiga, five points behind Barcelona, and have won four of their last five league matches. Their only defeat in that run was 1-0 at Sevilla.
The article’s claim that Atlético’s attack is led by Ademola Lookman and Arnau Ortiz is inaccurate. Lookman is an Atlético player, but Arnau Ortiz is not identified in the available squad or predicted-lineup reporting. Atlético’s main attacking options include Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth, Kang-in Lee and Álex Baena.
Kieran Trippier is also not part of Atlético’s current squad. Their expected midfield includes Marcos Llorente, Pablo Barrios, Koke and Giuliano Simeone, while Jan Oblak is expected to start in goal.
United’s injury list is significant. Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and goalkeeper Tom Heaton are all unavailable, while Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt with a back problem.
The claim that de Ligt, Ugarte and Mazraoui are “key absences” is broadly accurate, but the article’s description of Bruno Fernandes as United’s top scorer is unverified. Bryan Mbeumo has scored three goals this season and is identified in pre-match reporting as United’s most effective attacker so far.
United’s likely lineup is Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford; with Matheus Cunha leading the line. Atlético are expected to use Jan Oblak; Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero and Dávid Hancko; Llorente, Barrios, Koke and Simeone; Lee Kang-in and Baena; with Álvarez up front.
Atlético are favourites according to Opta’s pre-match model, with a 48.5% win probability compared with United’s 27.2% and a 24.3% chance of a draw. But United’s 4-0 opening win means they are not without hope, while Atlético’s defeat at Liverpool means the hosts also need a response.
