Atletico Madrid vs Man United Preview: Team News, Predicted Line Ups Ahead of Champions League Cracker

Atletico Madrid vs Man United Preview: Team News, Predicted Line Ups Ahead of Champions League Cracker

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:56 PM
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  • Atletico Madrid vs Man United will see the two European football giants lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night
  • The match comes a time the two teams are struggling for form and consistency, with Atletico winning just three of their last six outings
  • The La Liga giants are also having a number of major concerns ahead of the clash ranging from injuries to key players to suspensions

Wednesday night, February 23, will see football fans treated to an epic Champions League fixture pitting two of Europe's heavyweights in Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.

The first leg of the last 16 meeting to be played in the Spanish capital comes at a time both teams are enduring disappointing campaigns.

Manchester United first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on February 22, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid vs Man United will see the two European football giants lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night. Photo by Ash Donelon.
Source: Getty Images

Diego Simeone’s charges have been inconsistent in the La Liga, having won just three of their last six games.

The same can be said about Man United, who have struggled to post favourable results in the domestic scene as they push for a top-four finish.

As such, managers from both sides will be desperate to salvage the two-legged fixture by progressing to the next round of the continental competition.

Route to the Champions League last 16

Atletico Madrid were disappointing during the group stages of the tournament, managing to win just two of their six games.

They went on to lose three and drew one - but somehow managed to sail through as they managed to finish above FC Porto by two points.

Be that as it may, their poor run saw them finish nine points below eventual group winners, Liverpool.

On their part, the Red Devils topped Group F, just a point clear of second-placed Villarreal.

They Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for that brilliant run of results, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner playing a central role in his side's qualification for the last 16.

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United team news

Atletico Madrid have a number of concerns heading into the game - ranging from injuries to suspensions.

The trio of Antoine Griezmann, Koke and Yannick Carrasco is not expected to play a role in the United clash, having not been involved in a recent training session.

There are also doubts about the full match fitness of Luis Suarez.

In the United camp, Edinson Cavani is perhaps the biggest name missing out, with the striker currently struggling with a groin problem and has not travelled to Spain.

Possible line ups

Man United:

De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo

Atletico:

Oblak; Savic, Felipe, Reinildo; Vrsaljko, Llorente, Herrera, Kondogbia, Lodi; Correa, Felix

Simeone praises Man United as one of the best in the world

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has described Manchester United as one of the best teams in the world.

Simeone made the claim just hours before Atletico take on United in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.

"We’re facing one of the best teams in the world. They’ve just lost one in 15," Simeone said.
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Fred Kennedy
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