Atlético de Madrid - Manchester United: head to head and statistics

Atlético de Madrid - Manchester United, 13 Oct 2026

Two sides coming off very different opening nights meet in the second round of the Champions League league phase. Manchester United beat Sabah 4–0 on matchday 1, with goals from Cunha, Fernandes, Šeško and Martínez, and sit on three points. Atlético de Madrid also began the campaign against English opposition, but lost 2–1 away to Liverpool and are still waiting for their first point.

The numbers point to a team looking for a response facing one in good form in front of goal. United’s four goals came from four different scorers, which suggests the attacking load is not resting on a single player. Atlético, meanwhile, conceded twice at Anfield and will want to tighten up at the back before the visitors arrive.

The format adds context: 36 teams are competing for 24 places in the knockout phase, which will be decided after eight matchdays, so a home defeat at this stage could prove costly. A win would move Atlético level with their opponent on points, while a United victory would put the English side on six points after two games.

The fixture is scheduled for 13 October at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Manchester United - Atlético de Madrid, 15 Mar 2022

Atlético Madrid advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals by winning 1:0 at Old Trafford. The attendance was 73,008. The tie finished 2:1 in favour of the visitors, as the first leg in Madrid had ended in a 1:1 draw.

The only goal was scored in the 41st minute by Renan Lodi. The defender, who played as a winger that evening, headed in a cross from Antoine Griezmann at the back post. The move followed Atlético winning the ball back from Anthony Elanga, who, according to Ralf Rangnick, had been fouled. Referee Slavko Vinčič, however, waved play on. Moments later, Rodrigo De Paul was shown a yellow card.

The statistics favoured the hosts: 60% possession to 40%, 11 shots to 8, and 5 shots on target to 3. Manchester United completed 478 of 573 passes (83% accuracy), while Atlético completed 286 of 389 (74%). The hosts also had 5 corners to the visitors' 2. CBS Sports reported that the expected goals figure was 0.91 for United and 0.52 for Atlético.

Atlético, however, defended effectively. They won 9 tackles to United's 4. The hosts had the edge in the air (18 aerial duels won to 13). The visitors made 18 clearances, while United made only 2. Between the posts, Jan Oblak was the key figure for Atlético. Both teams received two yellow cards each, including Herrera and Matić late in the game.

United enjoyed a statistical advantage but failed to turn it into a goal. Atlético had fewer shots but took one of their few counter-attacking chances. The result illustrates the style of Diego Simeone well: low possession, plenty of clearances, and efficiency at the decisive moment.