Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United are two games into the 2026 pre-season tour and will take on Atletico Madrid in Sweden on Saturday.
So far on tour, Michael Carrick’s side has won one match and suffered one defeat, but luckily the players have gained fitness and sharpness in both matches without any injuries.
Manchester United lost 1-0 to Wrexham in Helsinki before beating Rosenborg 5-0 in Trondheim. The upcoming game against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm presents an opportunity for some of the players who returned from extended leave after the 2026 World Cup to make their first appearance of the tour.
Following the announcement of United’s travelling squad to face Atletico Madrid, here’s the strongest possible line-up Carrick can start in tomorrow’s game.
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo in training
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Getty Images
Man Utd’s strongest possible XI against Atletico Madrid
United’s meeting against Atletico Madrid gives United fans in Stockholm an opportunity to watch the first team in action.
There will be greater excitement for those fans now that two key players have returned after extended leave following the World Cup.
Goalkeeper: Only back training at Carrington, it would make sense to throw Altay Bayindir in from the start. He needs the minutes more than Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, and Radek Vitek.
Defence: Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have yet to return for pre-season, so Leny Yoro gets the nod at right-back. He should be joined by Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw across the back four.
Midfield: The strongest pairing among the available players is Andrey Santos and Mason Mount. Shea Lacey should keep his place in the No.10 role.
Attack: The return of Amad Diallo means United’s attack will be stronger than in previous games. The Ivorian should be on the right with Patrick Dorgu on the left. This means Bryan Mbeumo can play centrally instead of Joshua Zirkzee.
When did Man Utd last play Atletico Madrid?
The last time United played Atletico Madrid was in July 2022, in a pre-season friendly that was held in Oslo, Norway.
Our Spanish opponents that day won the match 1-0, after Joao Felix scored the only goal in the 86th-minute.
The last competitive match between the two teams came in the same year. Atletico Madrid won the second leg of a Champions League Round of 16 tie at Old Trafford, sealing a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.