Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid prediction, bet builder tips, lineups and odds. Get match preview, analysis and best bets for Saturday's clash.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Match Summary
Competition | Club Friendly |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 1 August 2026 |
Match Time | 14:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | MUTV (UK) |
Manchester United meet Atletico Madrid in a pre-season friendly on 1 August 2026, a meeting of two big names still finding their fitness after a summer of World Cup involvement.
United warmed up nicely with a 5-0 win over Rosenborg, though they are without a long list of players who featured at the World Cup and are still building sharpness in these outings.
Atletico Madrid arrive on the back of a 4-1 pre-season win over Getafe, with Marcos Llorente already back in the fold and looking to build on that opening result.
History favours the visitors here. Atletico have not lost in three modern meetings, a run that includes knocking United out of the Champions League last 16 back in 2022.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Form
United's pre-season has been a mixed bag. They slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Wrexham before responding in style with a 5-0 rout of Rosenborg on 25 July. Shea Lacey caught the eye with a goal in Norway and could keep his place, while Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee lead the attacking options as fitness builds.
Atletico made a strong start to their pre-season, seeing off Getafe 4-1 in their opening fixture on 26 July. Diego Simeone's side already have useful minutes in the legs, and with Ademola Lookman and new signing Morten Hjulmand pushing for starts, they look a touch sharper heading into this one.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko (Injured/doubtful), Manuel Ugarte (Injured/out), Matthijs de Ligt (Injured/out), Lisandro Martinez (Unavailable), Matheus Cunha (Unavailable), Diogo Dalot (Unavailable), Bruno Fernandes (Unavailable), Kobbie Mainoo (Unavailable), Noussair Mazraoui (Unavailable), Marcus Rashford (Unavailable)
Atletico Madrid: Julian Alvarez (Unavailable), Alex Baena (Unavailable), Alejandro Grimaldo (Unavailable), Nahuel Molina (Unavailable), Giuliano Simeone (Unavailable), Alexander Sorloth (Unavailable)
Manchester United
Amad Diallo has returned and could be included in the squad, but Benjamin Sesko remains a major doubt with a shin issue, while Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt are sidelined. Lisandro Martinez, Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Noussair Mazraoui and Marcus Rashford all remain unavailable after their World Cup involvement. Ayden Heaven should feature in midfield again, while Lacey could keep his place after scoring against Rosenborg.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico are expected to name a similar squad to the one that faced Getafe, with Marcos Llorente already back after Spain's World Cup win. Jan Oblak, Robin Le Normand, Koke, Ademola Lookman and new signing Morten Hjulmand are all in contention to start. Julian Alvarez, Alex Baena, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth are all absent after their World Cup campaigns.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup
Manchester United
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Mount; Mbeumo, Lacey, Dorgu; Zirkzee
Atletico Madrid
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: Oblak; M. Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Hjulmand, C. Martín; Mendoza; Lookman, M. Llorente
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Key Stats & Match Facts
Atletico are unbeaten in all three modern head-to-head meetings with United, winning two and drawing one.
That run includes a 1-0 pre-season friendly win in Oslo on 30 July 2022.
Atletico knocked United out of the Champions League round of 16 in 2022, winning 1-0 at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
Further back, Atletico beat United 4-1 on aggregate in the European Cup Winners' Cup second round in 1991.
United bounced back from a 1-0 defeat by Wrexham with a 5-0 pre-season win over Rosenborg.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: With both sides still building fitness and set to rotate, this looks a competitive friendly rather than a controlled one. Atletico may be slightly sharper after their opening win, but United's attacking options should help them share the spoils. We fancy a 2-2 draw. Our Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid prediction leans towards goals at both ends.
Best Bets
Manchester United to win against Atletico Madrid. United enter as the marginal favourites for this one, and their attacking options carry real threat. With Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee positioned to punish an Atletico side working through their own post-tournament rotations, the hosts have enough to nick it.
Both teams to score in the match. Pre-season friendlies tend to bring open, stretched football and plenty of defensive tinkering. With both managers experimenting and neither backline fully settled, goals at both ends look a strong shout in this fixture.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Bet Builder
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Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid Talking Points
This is the second Scandinavian pre-season meeting between the sides, following their clash in Oslo back in 2022, and there is an added incentive on the line. If the score is level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will decide the winner, so expect both teams to want it settled inside the regulation time. United will be keen to end their winless modern run against Atletico, having last faced them when Diego Simeone's men edged a Champions League tie in 2022. With so many senior players still absent after the World Cup, though, this is as much about minutes and fitness as it is silverware.
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