Struggling United head to Madrid with a lengthening injury list
Diego Simeone’s side lost 2-1 at Liverpool on matchday one but arrive on four straight LaLiga wins, while Michael Carrick’s United beat Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford and have not won since. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST (20:00 UK time), with Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg the referee. The game is at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, on matchday two of the Champions League league phase.
“Necesitamos puntos, como todos los que quieren continuar en esta competición.” – Diego Simeone
Predicted lineups: Atlético vs Man United
Simeone has almost his whole squad to pick from. Pablo Barrios is back, and Alejandro Grimaldo and Alexander Sørloth have recovered. United’s list is far longer. Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw both picked up problems against Tottenham and did not travel, with Carrick saying they were “not ready for the game tomorrow”. Patrick Dorgu has a hamstring injury from international duty and is out for several weeks, Noussair Mazraoui has a back problem, and Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton are long-term absentees. Matthijs de Ligt and Benjamin Šeško are doubts, and Bruno Fernandes is playing through pain.
Atlético Team News & Preview
Atlético’s league form has picked up sharply. They won 3-0 at Real Sociedad, beat Osasuna 4-0 and Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano, and then won 2-1 at Alavés on Saturday. That last game was not straightforward: Alavés equalised with a penalty in first-half stoppage time, and Atlético needed Cuti Romero’s late header after their hosts had been reduced to ten men, although they also hit the woodwork twice. They are second in LaLiga, two points behind Barcelona.
The Liverpool defeat means this is already an important night for Simeone, who made the point himself on Monday. Atlético’s home record against Real Madrid and Osasuna shows how hard they are to play at the Metropolitano, and with almost no injuries Simeone can pick the side he wants. The one talking point is up front, where Julián Álvarez has been used from the bench and the manager has been asked repeatedly about his goals.
What works for or against Atlético
- Four straight LaLiga wins, including 2-1 against Real Madrid.
- Barrios, Grimaldo and Sørloth are all available.
- Lost 2-1 at Liverpool on matchday one.
- Needed a late header to beat ten-man Alavés on Saturday.
Manchester United Team News & Preview
United are in a poor run. They have six points from six Premier League games, their worst start since 1986-87, and are winless in four in all competitions: a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City, a 3-2 Carabao Cup exit at home to Brighton, and 1-1 draws at Fulham and against Tottenham. On Saturday Bryan Mbeumo put them ahead against Spurs, Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off, and United still conceded in stoppage time. Carrick admitted afterwards that his side “couldn’t find a way to get ourselves into the game”, and he was booed at full time.
The injuries make the trip harder. Without Mainoo, United lose their most press-resistant midfielder, and without Shaw, Dorgu or Mazraoui they have no natural left-back, so Diogo Dalot is expected to switch sides. United did beat Sabah comfortably on matchday one, but that was against the lowest-ranked side in the competition and at Old Trafford.
What works for or against Man United
- Winless in four games in all competitions.
- Mainoo, Shaw, Dorgu and Mazraoui are all unavailable.
- Beat Sabah 4-0 on matchday one.
- Conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against ten-man Tottenham on Saturday.
Atlético vs Man United Odds
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Atlético vs. Man United Form Guide
Atlético Form, Stats & Data
Atlético’s position in LaLiga is built on their recent run: 11 goals in their last four league games and only two conceded. The home wins over Osasuna and Real Madrid are the most relevant reference points here: one was a comfortable win against a weaker side, the other a controlled win against a top team. Both suggest Atlético can manage a game at the Metropolitano without needing to take risks.
Man United Form, Stats & Data
United’s numbers are those of a side in the bottom half: six points from six league games and four games without a win. The injuries are concentrated in exactly the areas Atlético like to attack, with no recognised left-back and Mainoo missing from the middle of the pitch. Mbeumo and Fernandes still give them a threat, but they will be playing against one of the hardest defences to break down in Europe.
Atlético vs Man United: Prediction & Betting Tip
This looks like the wrong game at the wrong time for United. Atlético are on four straight league wins, have almost a full squad and need points after the Liverpool defeat. United have not won in four, were booed off on Saturday and travel without Mainoo, Shaw, Dorgu and Mazraoui. I expect Atlético to control the game in midfield and target the improvised left side of United’s defence.
The strongest argument against the home win is that Atlético do not always put teams away: they needed a late goal at Alavés against ten men, and a single United counter-attack through Mbeumo or Rashford could leave this level. Draw No Bet at 1.42 is the safer route, but I think the gap in form and fitness is big enough to back Atlético to win outright.
My main bet is Atlético Madrid to win at 1.93 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 2-0.