The Champions League is back and Manchester United welcome Atalanta to the Theatre of Dreams. It feels like we’re saying this about all of our games lately. But, this has become something of a must win. In the context of the group if United pick up three points they stand a much better chance of qualifying. And in the overall context a win here could be just what is needed for things to click and give a boost to the atmosphere around the club.
Atalanta are a very well drilled side. They like to control the game in the opposition’s half with a possession based game. This has worked very well for them in building to this point, in sitting top of the Champions League group. However, this style of play could work very nicely for United. They are very susceptible to through-balls and players running in behind. This is something that United can hopefully look to exploit with the pace of players like Marcus Rashford.
I expect Gian Piero Gasperini to stick with his trusted 3-4-2-1 formation. Atalanta are currently facing somewhat of an injury crisis. Their captain Rafael Toloi along with fellow centre-back Berat Djimsiti will most likely not be making the squad. As well as, wingbacks Hans Hateboer and Robin Gosens who don’t look like they will make the journey over to Manchester.
With all that said, this is how I expect Atalanta to line up. Juan Musso in goal. With a back three comprised of Palomino, Pezzella and Demiral. The wingbacks will most likely be Maehle on the left and Zappacosta on the right. With a midfield two of Freuler and de Roon. Malinovskyi just in front of them in the 10. And then the strike partnership of Zapata and Muriel.
This team will look to come to Old Trafford and outplay Manchester United. However, as alluded to earlier I think there are certain areas which United can look to exploit. With that in mind here is how I expect Ole Gunnar Solsjkær to line up. I think he will stick his the 4-2-3-1 formation. We saw against Villareal how shaky the single pivot can look without the proper personnel. And this is not the time to be taking unnecessary risks. David de Gea in net is a certainty at this point. The back four, I think will remain unchanged. Despite Maguire putting out one of his worst performances in a United shirt. I think Ole trusts him to play himself back into form.
As much as some fans don’t want to hear it. I, however, think that our best chance of not losing matches comes with both Fred and McTominay in the midfield. Now, there could be a case made for dropping Bruno and playing Pogba in the 10. Given Bruno’s tendency to press like a second striker there is often this massive hole in midfield that the opposition can easily exploit. However, I don’t think Ole will do this. Instead, I think he is going to stick with what he trusts, which is Bruno in the 10. I think Marcus has to start on the left, with Sancho on the right and Ronaldo up top.
I think this is going to be quite a tense and scrappy game. But, more out of hope than expectation, I’m still going for a United win. As I said, I think it’s going to scrappy and I don’t think we’re going to keep a clean sheet. So, I am predicting a 2-1 win for the Red Devils.