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

• A place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League will be at stake when Man United host Atletico Madrid
• The tie comes at a time Cristiano Ronaldo is in fine shape after he scored a sensational hat-trick over the weekend against Tottenham
• There will be everything to play for in both camps after the first leg of the meeting played in Spain ended in a 1-1 draw

Man United are scheduled to host Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, March 15.

The encounter promises to be a cracker with a place in the quarter-final of the European competition at stake.

The tie is evenly poised, with either side standing a realistic chance of qualifying after the first leg staged at the Wanda Metropolitano ended in a 1-1 draw.

Match preview

Man United needed a moment of magic from Anthony Elanga during their last meeting with Atletico, with the youngster earning Ralf Rangnick's a vital draw.

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The Red Devils followed the draw with two disappointing results, including a 4-1 mauling by rivals Man City.

However, the Old Trafford dwellers picked a 3-2 morale-boosting win at the weekend against Tottenham Hotspur and will be in good spirits when they host Atletico.

Atletico, meanwhile, have won each of their three fixtures since the first leg meeting with United, with the victories coming against Celta Vigo, Real Betis and Cadiz.

Team news

Luke Shaw is Man United's only injury concern despite returning to training on Monday, March 13.

However, Rangnick has an otherwise healthy squad to select from especially after Bruno Fernandes and David De Gea shook off their Covid scares.

In the Atletico camp, Koke is back in action in what will be a big boost for Simeone but Yannick Carrasco misses out through suspension.

Meanwhile, the trio of Mario Hermoso, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jose Gimenez have all been included in the squad.

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Predicted line ups

Man United:

De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Fernandes, McTominay, Fred; Elanga, Ronaldo, Sancho

Atletico:

Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Llorente, Herrera, Koke, De Paul, Lodi; Correa, Felix

Atletico Madrid warned of Ronaldo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Marcos Llorente has warned his Atletico Madrid teammates not to focus too much of their energy on stopping.

Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo appears to have rediscovered his best form after the Manchester United forward scored a hat-trick against Tottenham on Sunday, March 13.

Manchester United host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 reverse fixture at Old Trafford on Tuesday, March 15.