Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Manchester United face Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Saturday afternoon in their most demanding pre-season test so far, as both clubs continue preparations for the new campaign with large portions of their squads still returning from the World Cup.

Carrick’s side bounced back well from their opening 1–0 defeat to Wrexham with a 5–0 thrashing of Rosenborg, but Atletico represent a significant step up in quality. Diego Simeone’s side arrived in pre-season with a confident 4–1 win over Getafe and carry European pedigree that will stretch United’s squad across 90 minutes. Both clubs open their domestic campaigns in August — United host Hull City on 22 August in the Premier League, while Atletico travel to Malaga on 19 August in La Liga.

Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news

Manchester United team news

Carrick continues to manage a lengthy list of World Cup absentees. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha, Noussair Mazraoui and Marcus Rashford are all still on extended breaks following their involvement in North America. New signing Youri Tielemans has reported to Carrington and completed his first training session, but has not travelled to Stockholm — his debut will have to wait. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens is in the same position.

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Benjamin Sesko remains a significant doubt with a shin injury being carefully managed, while Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt are both sidelined through injury. Amad Diallo has returned from his World Cup commitments and could feature in the matchday squad. Andrey Santos, signed from Chelsea, is expected to start in central midfield alongside Mason Mount.

Atletico Madrid team news

Simeone is also missing several key figures still recovering from World Cup participation. Julián Álvarez, Alex Baena, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sørloth are all absent. Álvarez’s situation carries additional complexity — Barcelona and Arsenal have been linked with the Argentina striker this summer, though Atletico insist he will not be sold.

Marcos Llorente has already returned to training after helping Spain win the World Cup and is expected to start. New signing Morten Hjulmand, the Danish midfielder who arrived from Sporting CP, is expected to make his debut. South Korea international Lee Kang-in, signed from PSG for £34.2m, is unavailable due to complications with military service obligations. Ademola Lookman, who scored twice against Getafe, is the most dangerous attacking option available to Simeone.

Form

Manchester United

Last season’s third-place Premier League finish secured Manchester United a Champions League return — a significant turnaround after Carrick inherited a side that had flirted with relegation the previous campaign. This summer’s recruitment has focused on the midfield, with Tielemans and Santos arriving to provide the energy and quality the engine room lacked. The pre-season picture has been encouraging despite the mixed results — the cohesion shown in the Rosenborg win, where five different players scored, suggests the new additions are integrating well.

Atletico Madrid

Simeone’s side finished fourth in La Liga last season, 25 points behind champions Barcelona — a gap that prompted significant summer recruitment. Hjulmand, Grimaldo and Kang-in have all arrived, though only Hjulmand is available on Saturday. Despite the absences, the 4–1 win over Getafe showed that the squad retains quality in depth. Lookman’s brace underlined his importance in the absence of Álvarez, while the defensive unit of Oblak, Le Normand and Hancko looks settled.

Predicted lineups

Manchester United predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mount, Santos; Mbeumo, Lacey, Dorgu; Zirkzee

Atletico Madrid predicted XI (4-3-3): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Hjulmand, Martin; Mendoza, Lookman, Cubo

How to watch Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid?

The match will be broadcast live exclusively on MUTV. A subscription costs £7.99 per month or £29.99 per year.

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