Atletico Madrid v Manchester United LIVE: Champions League latest score and goal updates

Atletico have lost only two of their 19 matches against English teams in Spain (nine wins, eight draws).

However, they have won only two of their last 15 matches against English teams (three draw, 10 defeats) and none in the Champions League group stage/league phase.

Of his opposing head coach, Michael Carrick said: “I have huge respect for the coach.

“To build takes time, the fact he’s been here so long you can see his mark on this team. They’re really dangerous.

“It’s a great test for us. We think Atlético are as good as any team in Europe. We treat them as one of the very best.”

Manchester United have lost only one of their last 11 matches against Spanish opponents (seven wins, three draws).

They beat Athletic Club 3-0 away and 4-1 at home in the last fixtures, in the 2024/25 Europa League semi-finals, to make it three successive victories.

United’s last 10 matches against Spanish opponents have produced 35 goals, an average of 3.5 per game.

With the forecast Premier League dominance of the competition yet to come to pass, Richard Jolly explains why worse could be to come for its clubs on the continent.

Here are the thoughts from manager Michael Carrick.

“We need to start strongly,” he said.

“We’re up against a very good team. We know what to expect, we’re ready for it. The way [my players] responded in the second half against Spurs gives me a lot of faith.

“It’s fine lines. We didn’t start well the other day. Late goals we’ve conceded have all be avoidable but it’s fine margins.”

Diego Simeone said: “Choosing the best possible players and calmly managing those who start in the best way.

“The match will be long and we have to manage our efforts to compete well.

“Balance, both defensively and offensively, has always strengthened us, and when the team works together we achieve great things.”

Atletico are unbeaten in the four meetings between the sides (two wins, two draws).

Their most recent encounters came in the 2021/22 Champions League round of 16, where the Spaniards drew 1-1 in Madrid before winning 1-0 in Manchester.

Can United upend that recent form and secure a win tonight?

This week’s Champions League fixtures are only the second in the league phase of this year’s competitions.

Manchester United kick off their campaign with an easy 4-0 win over Sabah.

Atletico had a trickier time of things and were beaten 2-1 away from home by Liverpool. Marcos Llorente sent the visitors ahead at Anfield before Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister secured a comeback win.

When Dominic Solanke equalised for Tottenham on Saturday, however, they were, if only statistically, transported back to the dog days of Ron Atkinson’s tenure.

With six points from six games, United have made their worst start to a league campaign since 1986-87.

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Simeone, Barrios, Cardoso, Alex Baena; Alvarez, Kang-in Lee

Subs: Musso, Mendoza, Sorloth, Lookman, David, Arnau Ortiz, Pubill, Hjulmand, Le Normand, Lituba, Dani Martinez, Castillo