Manchester United kicked off against Atletico Madrid in their second match of the Champions League league phase.
First half
Michael Carrick’s message before kick-off would have been to keep it tight, but United did not take heed of the message.
After just a minute, the hosts had the lead. Álex Baena was onto a ball over the defence, got into the area and squared for Pablo Barrios, whose shot trickled into the back of the net.
United responded quite well, and Bryan Mbeumo got a shot off that bent just wide of the post in a decent retort. The visitors kept the ball for a while, and Mbeumo was once again through, but he poked his effort wide of the onrushing Jan Oblak.
On the half-hour mark, United came close again, but Mbeumo’s shot after a quick one-two with Youri Tielemans was well stopped by the keeper. Carlos Baleba then had a glorious chance to open his account for the club, but he could only guide his free header right at Oblak.
United almost found themselves further behind shortly after, but Alejandro Grimaldo’s free-kick rattled the post. The away side thought they had gone two down just before half-time, but Johnny Cardoso’s strike was ruled out for a handball in the build-up by Marcos Llorente.
Second half
United came out looking to create chances, but it was the home side who once again went close. Julian Alvarez found space in the box, but his effort hit the inside of the post and trickled away from goal.
The away side had their clearest chance of the night when Youri Tielemans expertly picked out Bruno Fernandes in space, but he lifted the ball just over Oblak but wide of the goal. On the hour mark, Fernandes almost found Mbeumo in the box, but the ball was just cleared in time.
Shortly after, Alex Baena’s fierce drive was well caught by Senne Lammens in goal. United responded, and Bruno Fernandes’ effort was deflected into the hands of Oblak with 20 minutes left.
The Red Devils almost conjured something out of nothing when Fernandes took a short corner and curled the ball onto the crossbar with Oblak stranded.
The game took a massive twist when Leny Yoro was sent off for a foul as the last man on Jonathan David. After a VAR review, the young Frenchman was given his marching orders, and United were down to ten.
United wilted after just a few moments, and after David’s shot was stopped by Lammens, Ademola Lookman pounced to put the result beyond doubt. Atletico proceeded to keep the ball and showed United the levels they need to reach to ever be considered potential winners of the competition again.
Llorente broke forward, but the ball was intercepted by Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez before a third could be added. The Red Devils almost got a consolation, but Matheus Cunha’s effort was well stopped by Oblak.
The match petered out, and United have gone another game without a win as they crashed to their first defeat of the Champions League campaign.
Starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Yoro, Baleba, Andrey Santos, Fernandes, Rashford, Tielemans, Mbeumo
Subs: Zirkzee, Mount, Amad, Cunha, Maguire
Featured image by Angel Martinez via Getty Images
