Atletico Madrid’s Simeone side set to test Manchester United’s fragile form

Manchester United travel to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday needing a Champions League victory to lift morale, with Michael Carrick seeking greater consistency from his side.

United have endured years of managerial changes and disappointing results since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013 after 26 years in charge. They have since appointed seven permanent managers but have not won another Premier League title.

Atletico Madrid, in contrast, have remained one of Spain’s leading clubs under Diego Simeone, who has managed the team since December 2011. They have won La Liga twice during his tenure, in 2014 and 2021, and have reached two Champions League finals and two further semi-finals.

They have also qualified for Europe’s leading club competition in every season since 2013-14.

Simeone has developed Atletico around work rate, discipline and determination. The club have gradually become more attacking without losing the competitive character that has defined their progress under the Argentine.

United have struggled to establish a comparable identity, with repeated changes in management bringing alterations in both style and approach.

Atletico arrive in form

Atletico go into the match on a run of four successive wins in all competitions. They beat Alaves 2-1 away from home on Saturday, with Argentina forward Julian Alvarez coming close to scoring after being introduced as a substitute.

The former Manchester City player stayed in Madrid despite reported attempts to arrange a move to Barcelona during the European summer and is now showing signs of regaining his best form.

“I thought Julian looked good today,” Simeone said.

“He came on with enthusiasm, eager to do well and help the team. He finished the match well.”

Atletico are second in La Liga and also defeated Real Madrid before the recent international break, adding to their momentum before United’s visit.

The home side will also play at the Metropolitano, which is scheduled to host the Champions League final in June.

Carrick calls for response

United arrive after another uneven display, drawing 1-1 with Tottenham on Saturday. Carrick’s team are 13th in the Premier League and have won only two of their eight matches in all competitions this season.

Their domestic start is their worst since 1986-87, increasing the pressure on the manager before a difficult sequence of fixtures.

Carrick accepts that improvement is required immediately but believes his players must maintain a positive outlook.

“We’ve got to stay positive and keep doing the right things. We need to do better and we need more points, of course we do,” he said.

“We’ve got games coming up, and we’ve got to be ready for them and embrace the challenge. It’s a big challenge, a great challenge, and we’re more than capable of winning games.”

The United manager wants attention to move away from their domestic difficulties and towards the Champions League trip.

“We’ve got big games coming up and are looking forward to Tuesday now (at Atletico de Madrid). A fresh start, a fresh game and we will go there looking forward to the game,” Carrick said.

United’s work rate has also been questioned. They covered less ground and completed fewer sprints than Tottenham, raising concerns about their intensity and commitment.

Those weaknesses are unlikely to go unnoticed against an Atletico team renowned for pressing, defensive organisation and collective effort. United began their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Azerbaijani side Sabah, but Tuesday’s visit to Madrid presents a significantly tougher challenge.