Injury-hit Man United face Atletico in Champions League

MANCHESTER United head coach Michael Carrick is sweating over the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw ahead of today’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.

Mainoo played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, but Shaw was replaced in the latter stages of the contest by Ayden Heaven.

Michael Carrick

Man United had an open training session yesterday morning ahead of their trip to Madrid, and neither Mainoo nor Shaw were present.

According to BBC Sport, the duo are both regarded as major doubts for the clash with Atletico; a final decision is set to be made this afternoon.

Matthijs de Ligt, who has not featured for Man United in almost a year, was part of the training group yesterday morning.

Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu will again be absent today, while Noussair Mazraoui remains a major doubt for the 20-time English champions.

Shea Lacey, Harry Amass and Jack Fletcher were all present in the first-team session and are likely to be in the travelling squad for the clash with Diego Simeone’s side.

Carlos Baleba came off the bench to make his Man United debut against Tottenham, and the Cameroon international could now be introduced for his full debut as Mainoo’s replacement.

Andrey Santos and Mason Mount are also potential options for the Red Devils in that area.

However, it is more complicated when it comes to the left-back spot; Leny Yoro started at right-back against Spurs, and if that is again the case against Atletico, then Diogo Dalot could be introduced into the XI in the left-back role.

Amass is also an option, while Heaven finished Saturday’s game at Spurs at left-back.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has denied suggestions that Manchester United are an easy team to play against.

The hosts will enter the clash in good form, having won each of their last four matches, including a 2-1 success over Real Madrid in their last fixture on home soil on September 20.

Atletico will fancy their chances of inflicting more misery on the English giants.

However, Simeone has insisted that “very aggressive” Man United are capable of making it incredibly difficult for the Red and Whites in today’s European affair.

Atletico had a fully fit squad for their La Liga clash with Alaves on Saturday, and no issues have been reported, so Simeone is expected to have a full complement available for the Man United match.

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