Manchester United Confirmed Line-Up: Bruno Fernandes And Tyrell Malacia Start

Manchester United have confirmed their line up for the penultimate pre-season fixture of 2022 against Atletico Madrid.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will conclude their pre-season this weekend with back-to-back fixtures against La Liga opposition in Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. First up is Atletico Madrid, which could prove to be United’s firmest challenge to date under the Dutchman, despite the La Liga outfit only having one pre-season friendly under their belt.

United take on Atletico Madrid in Oslo at the Ullevaal Stadion with both sides using this repeat of last season’s Champions League round of 16 to prepare for their respective league openers.

With those involved today not set to play a part against Rayo Vallecano tomorrow, some may view this game as a final chance to impress their new manager ahead of the Premier League opener against Brighton next Sunday.

Christian Eriksen in Manchester United training. (Man Utd)

There are still question marks over some positions. However, two players who have all but guaranteed their spots in Ten Hag’s first competitive selection are Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho who each have each netted three goals in pre-season.

Both players have been exceptional so far and left little doubt as to whether they’ll be starting against Brighton.

The Red Devils will be keen to continue their impressive start to life under Ten Hag who remain undefeated with wins over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and a draw with Aston Villa whilst on tour and a 4-1 victory against Wrexham in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this week.

Whilst rotation has been a key element so far, Erik ten Hag appears to have selected a team that won’t be too far away from what we’d expect to see in United’s opening Premier League fixture against Brighton next weekend.

With players still adjusting to Ten Hag’s style, this game against a stubborn Atletico Madrid team could be perfect timing. Simeone will have his side sit deep and look to frustrate whilst waiting for opportunities on the counter-attack, as United saw first-hand last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel with the Manchester United squad. (Alamy)

With many Premier League opponents typically deploying similar tactics against United - especially at Old Trafford - this will be a great indicator of how Ten Hag plans to approach these games.

Atletico Madrid are expected to field a strong line-up but with their season kicking off a fortnight away and having played just one pre-season friendly thus far, it’s fair to assume that Diego Simeone will be making a lot of changes throughout the game whilst Ten Hag should look to give most close to 90 minutes.

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, B.Fernandes, Elanga, Martial, Rashford.

Subs: Heaton, Kovar, Telles, Laird, Martinez, Eriksen, Garner, Pellistri, Van de Beek.

Atletico Madrid

Starting XI: Oblak, Giminez, Savic, Molina, Reinildo, Kondogbia, Lemar, Llorente, Carrasco, Cunha, Correa.

The Red Devils will be traveling back to Manchester tonight and those who stayed behind will be welcoming Rayo Vallecano to Old Trafford tomorrow.

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will start against Rayo Vallecano, taking to Instagram to announce this news on Friday.

Erik ten Hag will get his first taste of Old Trafford as United boss and one final look at his team before United kick-off their Premier League campaign against Brighton at the Theatre of Dreams next Sunday, on 7 August.