Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid: Both sides looking to avoid bad precedents

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, UEFA Champions League

After a one-all draw from the first leg, both Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have it all to play for as they prepare to do battle for a quarter-finals spot on March 15th.

Preview: Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid

With the first leg having finished as a one-all draw, the upcoming meeting between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid is firmly poised on a knife's edge. Goals from youngster Joao Felix and teenager Anthony Elanga ended up ensuring that Ralf Ragnick and Diego Simeone's men shared the spoils. However, with away goals being ruled out, this means that this game could go in favor of each side.

Interestingly, Manchester United, who come into this contest having beaten Tottenham 3-2 at the weekend thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, haven't had the best record when it comes to featuring against Spanish teams at home. Of their last eight games in the Champions League, the Red Devils have won just two. That being said, Atletico Madrid, who also come into this match having won in the league as they picked up a 2-1 win over Cadiz on Friday, have struggled on the road against English sides. They haven't been able to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight in this competition, and moreover, have failed to win three of their last four knockout rounds after drawing the first leg at home.

Atletico come into this game having won four of their last five games across all comps, and with Real Madrid having run away with the title, Los Rojiblancos won't be defending their La Liga crown at the end of this season. Nonetheless, they still do have a shot at winning this trophy - which interestingly has eluded Diego Simeone during a highly successful spell as manager - albeit will face some stern competition from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

Manchester United, for their part, are also well out of the title race with their cross-town rivals City sitting pretty on top of the table. Although they were held to a surprise draw against Crystal Palace recently, City's real threat is none other than Liverpool, who sit four points back. As such, like Atleti, Manchester United's one shot at redemption will be to win the Champions League, which would also guarantee them a spot in next year's tournament, regardless of where they finish in the table.

With all to play for, will the Red Devils march on to the quarter-finals and perhaps beyond? Or will Los Rojiblancos put that dream to bed when they arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening?

Team news: Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid

Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay could all return after missing out recently due to COVID-19 (Fernandes and Shaw) and a calf injury (McTominay).

Atletico Madrid: Yannick Carraso is still out due to a ban, while Matheus Cunha, Daniel Wass, Sime Vrsaljko and Thomas Lemar are definite absentees due to injury. In addition, Mario Hermoso, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jose Gimenez are all doubts due to injuries, but nonetheless have joined their colleagues on the trip to England. Finally, the visitors have been given a major boost with the return of Koke, who missed out on the first leg, with the Spanish international featuring on Friday in league play.

Match facts: Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid

Manchester United have only won two of their last eight UCL home games against Spanish teams (D3 L3)
Atlético haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their eight away games against English teams in the UCL
That being said, Los Rojiblancos have won nine of their last 12 two-legged ties against English sides