Atlético Madrid vs Man United preview, H2H, team news: Lookman targets Red Devils upset

It is time for Atlético Madrid vs Man United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid on Tuesday, October 13, in matchday two of the UEFA Champions League league phase, with kickoff set for 8:00 pm WAT.

Diego Simeone's side arrive on the back of a four-match winning run that followed their opening defeat to Liverpool, while Michael Carrick's United have not won in four matches across all competitions since beating Sabah on matchday one.

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is part of Simeone's squad for the visit of United, though recent team news points to him starting on the bench, with Julián Álvarez and Giuliano Simeone favoured to lead the home attack from kickoff.

Ademola Lookman ready for Atlético Madrid vs Man United. Photo by IMAGO

Match Facts · Atlético de Madrid vs Manchester United

Competition:

UEFA Champions League, League Phase (Matchday 2)

Date:

October 13, 2026

Kickoff:

8:00 PM WAT (21:00 local)

Venue:

Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid

Referee:

Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

League positions:

Atlético de Madrid 2nd (La Liga) · Manchester United 12th (Premier League)

Last meeting:

Manchester United 2-1 Atlético de Madrid (pre-season friendly), August 1, 2026

Nigeria connection:

Ademola Lookman (Atlético de Madrid, Super Eagles forward)

Atlético Madrid vs Man United: Form guide

Atlético have won four matches in a row since a 2-1 loss at Liverpool opened their European campaign, including a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad, a 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna and a 2-1 derby victory over Real Madrid.

The run continued with a 2-1 comeback victory at Alavés on October 10, Cristian Romero scoring the winner in the 87th minute.

United have gone the other way, winning only their opening Champions League fixture, a 4-0 rout of Sabah, before four matches without a win across all competitions, the latest a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in which Dominic Solanke equalised in the 92nd minute for the ten men visitors.

That winless run also includes a League Cup exit to Brighton and a derby defeat to Manchester City in which United played over an hour with a man advantage, results that have left Carrick under early pressure at Old Trafford.

Carrick's side sit 12th in the Premier League, while Atlético occupy second place in La Liga with the weekend round still incomplete.

Michael Carrick's men in rotten form ahead of Atlético Madrid vs Man United. Photo by IMAGO

Atlético Madrid vs Man United: Head-to-head

Atlético de Madrid and Manchester United have met six times in all competitions, with three wins for the Spanish side, one for United and two draws, an aggregate score of 8-4 in Atlético's favour.

The two sides last met in a pre-season friendly in Stockholm on August 1 this year, which United won 2-1.

Their last competitive meeting came in the last 16 of the 2021-22 Champions League, when Atlético drew 1-1 at home before winning 1-0 at Old Trafford to progress.

That tie is now more than three years old and carries little bearing on a United side rebuilt under Carrick and an Atlético side that has added Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo and Morten Hjulmand since the end of last season.

Atlético Madrid vs Man United key battle: Lookman's impact threat against a mobile Dalot

Lookman, struggling for more Atletico Madrid minutes this term, has scored once in all competitions for the Spanish club. He has not been among Simeone's automatic picks in attack, with Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Álex Baena the preferred front line in recent lineups.

Ademola Lookman searching for second goal for Atlético Madrid vs Man United. Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcheroxIMAGO

His potential introduction after the hour mark, however, could decide the game, with the versatile Nigeria international capable of playing off either flank to attack space left by a tiring back four.

The likeliest opponent is Diogo Dalot, the United right-back who has carried a heavy workload already this season, with Noussair Mazraoui a doubt, there's little cover available among the full-backs.

If Atlético need a spark in the closing stages, as they did against Alavés, Lookman's pace in behind a fatigued United defence is their most direct route to a late goal.

Interestingly, Lookman has managed only one career goal in three appearances against Manchester United. The Super Eagles forward's singular strike came in the colours of Everton in a 2-1 Premier League defeat in January 2021.

Ademola Lookman backed to score for Atlético Madrid vs Man United. Copyright: Imago/CesarxCebolla

Lookman is yet to celebrate a win over the Red Devils in his career, suffering one loss and two draws in three previous attempts.

Atlético Madrid vs Man United: Team news

Atlético have a near-clean bill of health, with only Pablo Barrios a doubt through a muscle injury, while Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez have both recovered from the knocks that kept them out in September.

United have a lengthy absentee list, with Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte all ruled out, while Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo are doubts, and Benjamin Sesko is a fitness gamble after a shin problem.

Lookman himself carries no fitness concerns and is fully available, a rotation option for Simeone rather than a doubt.

Soccernet verdict

The Verdict Atlético de Madrid 2-1 Manchester United Atlético's attacking form and home advantage, with away fans barred from the stadium, should be enough to see off a United side still searching for consistency under Carrick. Likely scorers: Julián Álvarez, Bruno Fernandes.