Atletico Madrid v Manchester United LIVE: Team news and latest updates in Champions League tie

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

Michael Carrick makes a bunch of changes to the team that faced Tottenham at the weekend.

Lisandro Martinez is the only member of the defence to retain his place with Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven all brought in.

Carlos Baleba makes his first start for the club alongside Andrey Santos in midfield while Marcus Rashford comes in for Matheus Cunha.

Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Martinez; Baleba, Santos; Fernandes, Tielemans, Rashford; Mbeumo

Atletico Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, spoke ahead of tonight’s clash on what he is expecting from Manchester United.

“They apply a lot of pressure in the opposition’s half,” he said.

“They’re very aggressive, play with great intensity, make clever runs to buy time in the first phase of pressing and have quick players.”

Will Matthijs de Ligt play a part in tonight’s game now that he’s back in the squad?

“I’m definitely comfortable with him playing,” said Michael Carrick at Monday’s press conference..

“Of course, there is the element of when that time is and how much it is. He played a little bit of the Lausanne [friendly] game and he’s done a fair bit of training but, of course, we’re working our way through it.

“So it’s not too much, too soon. I’ve definitely got the confidence in him, no doubt about that.”