Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United: TV channel, live stream, how to watch and injury and team news

The Red Devils are back in Champions League action when they take on Diego Simeone’s men.
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Manchester United will be hoping to build on their encouraging recent results when they travel to face Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night (8pm UK time).

The Red Devils had drawn 1-1 in three consecutive games before last week’s home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, which they won 2-0. Ralf Rangnick’s men followed that up with a 4-2 victory at Elland Road on Sunday, meaning United could make it three wins on the bounce in Madrid.

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United head into the tie following a positive Champions League group-stage campaign, that saw them finish in top spot and lose just one of their six games. Meanwhile Atletico snuck into the knockout rounds on the sixth matchday and finished second in a group that contained Liverpool, AC Milan and Porto.

It’s also been an unusually weak season from the Spanish champions, who have been shipping goals regularly in the league. In fact, they’ve conceded 34 in 25 games this term, nine more than they let in during the whole of last season.

Atletico won 3-0 against Osasuna at the weekend. Credit: Getty.Atletico won 3-0 against Osasuna at the weekend. Credit: Getty.
Atletico won 3-0 against Osasuna at the weekend. Credit: Getty.

So average have Atletico’s displays been this season, Diego Simeone’s job is even on line, according to reports in Spain.

Despite that, Atleti have established themselves as one of the most reliable sides in the Champions League over the last decade. They made it to the final in 2014 and 2016 and this is the eighth out of the last nine years Atletico have progressed to the knockout stages of Europe’s top competition.

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The side from the Spanish capital even knocked out Liverpool two years ago, while they have top talents in their ranks such as Jan Oblak, Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann. Ex-Liverpool man Luis Suarez is another who will be relishing the opportunity to come up against an old foe.

Cristiano Ronaldo is in a similar boat having enjoyed a nine-year rivalry with Atleti when he played across the city at Real Madrid. United’s No.7 has actually faced Wednesday’s opponents more than any other club in his career and has scored 25 times against Atletico, again a career high.

Ronaldo scored the winning penalty in the 2016 Champions League final. Credit: GettyRonaldo scored the winning penalty in the 2016 Champions League final. Credit: Getty
Ronaldo scored the winning penalty in the 2016 Champions League final. Credit: Getty

Included in those strikes was a goal in the 2014 Champions League final, a hat-trick in the 2017 semi-final first leg, while he also netted three in 2019 as Juventus eliminated Atletico at the last-16 stage.

What’s the team news?

Rangnick rotated his side for the trip to Leeds on Sunday, and started with Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Fred, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga on the bench.

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Edinson Cavani also missed the game and Rangnick confirmed he will not travel to Spain due to a groin problem, while Eric Bailly is a major doubt ahead of the first leg.

Raphael Varane could return to the side on Wednesday night. Credit: Getty.Raphael Varane could return to the side on Wednesday night. Credit: Getty.
Raphael Varane could return to the side on Wednesday night. Credit: Getty.

As for the hosts, Griezmann has returned to training this week and could be involved at the Wanda Metropolitano, but Thomas Lemar is a doubt.

Elsewhere, Yannick Carrasco is missing through suspension, and Daniel Wass and Matheus Cunha are ruled out with injuries.

Predicted line-ups:

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Savic, Reinildo; Llorente, Koke, Herrera, Correa; Felix, Suarez.

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Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Elanga, Ronaldo, Sancho.

Is the match on TV?

The game will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport 2, with the pre-match show beginning at 7pm. It can also be streamed via the BT Sport app.

How can I watch highlights?

The main moments will be available on the BT Sport YouTube channel, while the United website will show highlights at a later stage.