How Manchester United should line up vs Atletico Madrid in Champions League fixture

Manchester United welcome Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

United head into the game in good spirits after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to beat Tottenham 3-2 at the weekend. United threw away their lead twice in that match but Ronaldo's late, powerful header finally proved to be the decider in an enthralling encounter.

Ralf Rangnick's side salvaged a draw in the first leg of the Round of 16 Champions League fixture against Atletico thanks to Anthony Elanga's goal. That game in Madrid ended 1-1 but the away goal rule doesn't apply anymore, as per UEFA's change in policy. United will progress to the quarter-finals if they beat Atletico and here's how our MEN writers think they should line up.

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Samuel Luckhurst

United have never lost with Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire on the pitch, so should remain unchanged at centre-back. Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles had mixed performances on Saturday but continuity should be prioritised against an obdurate Atletico.

Nemanja Matic has impressed since he came on in Madrid and his expertise with Fred could be key. Paul Pogba should play off the wing in a flexible front six where he could switch with Jadon Sancho. Bruno Fernandes has to be behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tyrone Marshall

Rangnick has a full squad available to choose from tonight but it still doesn't feel like he has too many difficult selection decisions to make.

One would maybe be at left-back but Shaw is still on the way back from his bout of Covid and in a high-intensity game it needs the sharper legs of Telles. Dalot has to keep his place ahead of Wan-Bissaka and the centre of defence picks itself.

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