Manchester United were back in action tonight, taking on Atlético Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Winless in four matches and with pressure mounting on Michael Carrick, this was the perfect chance for the Red Devils to prove their poor run was just a blip and silence the doubters.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, as the Red Devils left Madrid with another defeat. Atlético won 2-0 in a game United finished with 10 men, after the referee sent off Leny Yoro for denying Jonathan David a clear goalscoring opportunity.
This game had plenty to pick from. Here is what we picked:
Keeping clean sheets remains an issue
United have kept just one clean sheet in nine games this season, and only two in their last 12 across all competitions. This cannot continue to be ignored. If they are to compete, they cannot keep going into matches expecting to concede.
They say if you cannot win, do not lose. The Red Devils must defend their goal properly, become hard to break down, and build from that foundation.
Bruno Fernandes at right wing was a tactical blunder
Bruno Fernandes started on the right but did not have the impact he should have had, as he lacks positional discipline. He drifted inwards constantly and left Diogo Dalot to fight for his life against Alejandro Grimaldo and Álex Baena.
Leaving Grimaldo free was unwise. He is one of Atlético’s biggest threats, and the danger he posed made that clear. It is surprising Carrick and his assistants did not spot sooner that the left-back was so free, with so much space to do damage.
carrick needs to take bruno off. his off the ball movement has been awful and it's making santos cover the flanks and dalot have to do double the work. it just feels he's not been given any positional discipline and roaming around wherever he wants. very frustrating watch so far.
— sully (@sullyexcl) October 13, 2026
Fernandes must improve his positional discipline if he is to execute Carrick’s tactical plan. If he does not, the head coach needs to be bold enough to drop him.
Andrey Santos’ failed audition
Andrey Santos has rarely been given a clear chance to prove himself. He has played little since the 2-0 loss to Hull City. This rare start against Atlético Madrid, with Kobbie Mainoo injured, was his opportunity to press for a key role, yet he failed to take it. His performance was unconvincing.Too often, the Brazilian misjudged his passes.
The summer recruit impressed in pre-season but looked lost against Atlético and struggled to impose himself. This game did little to strengthen his case for a key role.
Carlos Baleba, by contrast, who just returned from injury, had a strong game. He did the basics well and showed the desire to win every ball. He is forcing his way into a key role and will be hard to ignore.
Carrick and his substitutions
At times, the changes Carrick should make are glaringly obvious, yet he cannot seem to make them, and his timing is often off too.
He should have introduced Amad at the break to fill the hole on the right that Fernandes kept leaving. He should also have replaced Marcus Rashford with Matheus Cunha at half-time. Cunha would have helped United keep possession and influence the game, something Rashford was not doing.
Yet Carrick makes changes only when he wants to, and they rarely affect the game. His in-game decisions remain a concern.
That said, the United legend cannot seem to catch a break, and this defeat piles on the pressure. It is unlikely to cost him his job, yet it could be one of the results that shortens his time in the role.
Up next is the Roses derby, with United travelling to Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
More than ever, United need a big result against one of their fiercest rivals, or heads will roll.
Featured image by Angel Martinez via Getty Images
