(REUTERS)
Manchester United are back in action in the Champions League looking to take a big step towards the last 16 by securing back-to-back wins in Europe.
The Red Devils welcome Atalanta, with the Italians topping Group F on four points, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side tied for third with Young Boys and just one point behind, with Villarreal bottom on one point.
Solskjaer is under intense pressure following the defeat at Leicester to dent United’s title hopes, while Atalanta arrive at Old Trafford in good form having defeated Empoli 4-1, leaving them sixth in Serie A and a point outside the top four. But the Norwegian insists United can remain on course for the round of 16 with another win tonight following late drama through Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner to earn three points against Villarreal.
“As you do every time you lose a game of football you quickly evaluate and look at what went wrong, and of course you’ve got admit that a few things went wrong,” said the United boss. “Then you have to focus on the next game and how to correct what we haven’t been good enough at. The focus has been good. The minds have been on this game, it’s a chance to make up for the bad start we had in the group with the Young Boys defeat. If you go into halfway point in the group with two home wins then you’re on the way.”
Follow live updates from Old Trafford as the Red Devils look to kick-start their Champions League campaign:
Atalanta’s European dream
Having never featured in the Champions League before 2019/20, Atalanta are making their third successive appearance in the group stage.
They reached the quarter-finalists on their debut two seasons ago, and lost to Real Madrid in the last 16 during the 2020/21 campaign.
The Italian club were second behind Liverpool in Group D last season, sealing progress with a 1-0 win at Ajax on Matchday 6. That gave them 11 points, two behind Liverpool who had won 5-0 in Bergamo on Matchday 3 – Atalanta’s heaviest European defeat – before Gian Piero Gasperini’s side turned the tables with a famous 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:33
Leaky defence
Man Utd have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Champions League outings, on Matchday 2 of the 2020/21 campaign when they beat RB Leipzig 5-0.
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:29
If Manchester United are less than the sum of their parts, Atalanta are much greater than theirs
As the dust settled on Manchester United’s fourth defeat in seven games, Brendan Rodgers was more than happy to explain how it came about to journalists at the King Power.
Essentially, it all boiled down to pressing: the eagerness of his Leicester City players to win the ball high up the pitch on the one hand and the reluctance of United’s players to do the same on the other.
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:24
Man Utd vs Italian teams
Manchester United have a good record against Italian teams especially at home. They have won seven of their last nine home matches against Italian clubs with one draw and just one defeat.
However their opponents tonight know how to win in a top English stadium. Atalanta beat Liverpool at Anfield last season, becoming only the second Italian side to do so in the Champions League.
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:20
A half-century for Bruno
Bruno Fernandes will make his 50th appearance in European competition when his starts for Manchester United tonight. The Portuguese’s record in Europe is 49 games played, 24 goals scored and 20 assists created. Not too shabby.
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:17
United arrive at Old Trafford
Manchester United have arrived at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a couple of big changes to his team. He’s dropped Paul Pogba and returned to the Fred/McTominay midfield partnership. Will these changes work out for him tonight?
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:13
Rashford on Atalanta
More from Marcus Rashford who also spoke about what he’s expecting from tonight’s opponents.
Atalanta come into the game on the back of a 4-1 win over Empoli in Serie A. They’re in good form and have are unbeaten in the Champions League this season.
They have a very aggressive style in attack and defence. It’s going to be a tough and intense game. I believe this game will bring the best out of our players.”
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:10
Rashford on winning trophies
Marcus Rashford spoke in a press conference yesterday about Manchester United’s desire to win trophies and about how they need to come up with a way to challenge more. He said:
Everyone wants to win trophies, but there are steps you have to take to get there. We have to find the difference between coming close and getting our hands on the trophies.”
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:05
Man Utd’s Champions League campaign
Manchester United are entering a tough run of fixtures that sees them play Atalanta twice in the Champions League and Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in the Premier League over the next three weeks.
The results from these games could have a huge bearing on United’s season with the prospect of getting knocked out of the Champions League a real possibility if they lose twice to Atalanta.
Three points this evening may be enough to send them to the top of Group F and ease the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of a clash with Liverpool this weekend.
Michael Jones20 October 2021 19:01
Manchester United going ‘back to basics’ after Leicester defeat, Marcus Rashford reveals
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looked set to escape from the King Power Stadium with a fortuitous point after the forward came off the bench to score on his first appearance since summer shoulder surgery.
Michael Jones20 October 2021 18:57
