Manchester United continue their preparations for the 2026-27 season on Saturday when they face Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
Michael Carrick’s side bounced back from an opening pre-season defeat to Wrexham by thrashing Rosenborg 5-0, while Atletico Madrid made a winning start to their summer schedule with a convincing 4-1 victory over Getafe.
Team news for Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
Manchester United have been boosted by the return of Amad Diallo following his World Cup commitments, and the Ivory Coast international could be included in the matchday squad.
Benjamin Sesko remains a major doubt as the club continue to manage his shin injury, while Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain unavailable through injury.
New signing Andrey Santos is expected to feature again in midfield after another encouraging display, while teenage prospect JJ Gabriel will hope to make his unofficial first-team debut.
Shea Lacey enhanced his chances of another start by scoring in the win over Rosenborg, while Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu are all expected to play significant minutes.
Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha and Noussair Mazraoui remain unavailable after their extended breaks following the 2026 World Cup, although Youri Tielemans and Senne Lammens have returned to Carrington and could feature.
Atletico Madrid are likely to name a similar squad to the one that defeated Getafe, with Marcos Llorente already back after helping Spain win the World Cup.
Jan Oblak, Robin Le Normand, Koke, Ademola Lookman and new signing Morten Hjulmand are all expected to start, while Julian Alvarez remains absent following his World Cup involvement alongside Alex Baena, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth.
Predicted line-ups for Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
Manchester United possible starting XI:
Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mount, Santos; Mbeumo, Lacey, Dorgu; Zirkzee
Atletico Madrid possible starting XI:
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Hjulmand, Martin; Mendoza; Lookman, Cubo
How to watch Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
The match kicks off at 2pm BST on Saturday, August 1, at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
The game is expected to be available through Manchester United’s official pre-season broadcast platform MUTV, with additional international coverage depending on local broadcasters.
The stats for Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
- Manchester United responded to their opening pre-season defeat by beating Rosenborg 5-0 in Norway
- The Red Devils have scored five goals in their last outing after failing to find the net against Wrexham
- Shea Lacey scored and impressed against Rosenborg, strengthening his case for more first-team minutes
- Atletico Madrid opened pre-season with a convincing 4-1 win over Getafe
- Diego Simeone’s side finished fourth in La Liga last season, 25 points behind champions Barcelona
- Atletico have strengthened their squad this summer with the arrivals of Morten Hjulmand, Lee Kang-in and Alejandro Grimaldo
- Manchester United have won two of their previous four meetings with Atletico Madrid, with one draw and one defeat
- Both clubs are missing a number of senior internationals following the 2026 World Cup, although several players are beginning to return to training
Prediction for Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
Both sides remain without a host of key players, but Manchester United looked far sharper in their victory over Rosenborg.
Atletico will provide a much sterner examination, although Carrick’s side could edge another positive result before stepping up the quality of their opposition later this month.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Atletico Madrid
