Predicted Manchester United XI vs Atletico Madrid: Maguire dropped for big night in Champions League

Manchester United are looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they welcome Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford in the second leg of their 16 tie.

The tie is level at 1-1 after Anthony Elanga came off the bench in the first leg to equalise for United.

Rangnick’s side were far from their best at the Wanda Metropolitano, but they got a confidence boost on Saturday after beating Tottenham 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Atleti enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Cadiz on Friday night. That was enough to lift them back into top four, despite being crowned La Liga champions last season.

Looking at the team news, the Reds could be without Luke Shaw at left-back but everyone else is available for selection.

David de Gea will start between the sticks against his former club.

Unlike the first leg in Madrid, United won’t try to shoehorn a centre-back into a full-back role, so Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles will operate the flanks.

I think Harry Maguire will be dropped for Victor Lindelof, with the Swede coming in to partner Raphael Varane in the heart of defence.

It is important that United’s midfield works hard tomorrow night. Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes will return to the line-up, while Fred deserves to start after his incredible display against Tottenham at the weekend. I know that means leaving Paul Pogba on the bench from the start but the French midfielder was very quiet in his last outing.

Ronaldo will lead the line with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.

SN’s predicted XI: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho.

More Stories Atletico Madrid David de Gea Diogo Dalot Manchester United Raphael Varane Victor Lindelof

3 Comments

  1. Play MagDisaster and United has NO chance of winning whatsoever. Drop him and we should have a very exciting match in which we could come away as winners with GOAT CR7 at the helm.

  2. That line up is not the best, rather Degea, wanbisaka, Shaw, verane, lindelof, Tominay, Pogba, Bruno, Sancho, Radfordand Ronaldo then others reserve

  3. Very good lineup but I would rather see elanga or lingard instead of rashford and you should start Pogba instead of Bruno Fernandes who has not trained for a while. Just bring him and rashford from the bench

Comments are closed