Manchester United's Champions League return began with a 4-0 win over Sabah. Tonight in Madrid, the test becomes much tougher: Atlético arrive on the back of four straight league victories, while United are looking for their first win since that European opener.
United need to turn a strong start into momentum
United have played four times since beating Sabah: defeats by Manchester City and Brighton, followed by draws at Fulham and at home to Tottenham. Saturday's 1-1 with Spurs left them waiting for another victory.
The bright European start still matters. Three points are already on the board, and a result away from home would give United something to build on before their next league match at Leeds. But the score against Sabah cannot do the work for them in Madrid.
This is a different question for Michael Carrick's side: can they take points from a team that has found a winning rhythm, rather than simply repeat the comfort of their opening night?
Atlético have responded to their European setback
Atlético lost 2-1 at Liverpool in their first league-phase match. Their domestic results since then have been much stronger: wins over Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Real Madrid and Alavés, with 11 goals scored and two conceded across those four games.
The latest was a 2-1 away win at Alavés on Saturday. Back at home tonight, Atlético need their first points in this season's league phase. United's need for a response meets a side with its own European ground to make up.
A familiar stage for Cunha
Matheus Cunha knows the club on the other side. The United forward played for Atlético from 2021 to 2023, scoring seven goals in 54 appearances in all competitions, according to UEFA.
The recent European history between the teams favours the hosts: Atlético won their 2021/22 round-of-16 tie 2-1 on aggregate. Tonight is a league-phase match, not a knockout decider, but United supporters will want a different outcome from that last competitive tie.
Atlético's four-match league winning run makes this a demanding assignment. For United, stopping their own winless sequence while adding to their European points would be a useful answer after Saturday's draw.
Tonight's match
Atlético de Madrid v Manchester United — Tuesday 13 October, 8pm BST / 9pm in Madrid
Riyadh Air Metropolitano
UEFA Champions League, league phase
Follow our fixture schedule and latest results for the rest of the Champions League action.
Sources: UEFA's Matchday 2 guide, Manchester United's match coverage, and current fixtures and results. Records are those before kick-off.
