More misery for Manchester United as their season went from bad to worse with a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
United’s return to Europe’s top table was kind as they turned over minnows FK Sabah at Old Trafford, but this was a totally different test, and one they ultimately failed on a chastising night in the Spanish capital.
Goals from Pablo Barrios, which came after 49 seconds, and Ademola Lookman, minutes after Leny Yoro was sent off, were the difference on a night when United showed plenty of promise, but lacked that killer instinct.
Bruno Fernandes hit the bar, while Marcus Rashford, Carlos Baleba and Bryan Mbeumo all missed gilt-edged chances as the opportunity of getting a timely win was passed up.
The pressure is now ramped up even more on boss Michael Carrick ahead of another tricky trip at the weekend, then going on to face bitter rivals Leeds.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT runs the rule over the two sides under the lights in Madrid…
More misery for Manchester United as defeat in Spain means it’s now no wins in the last five
Senne Lammens – 6
Felt like a sitting duck with some of the defenders in front of him and thus can’t be apportioned too much blame for either goal. Made a couple of timely stops but was arguably the least of United’s problems on another chastising evening.
Diogo Dalot – 3
Had no idea where Alex Baena was going in the opening seconds, which was a run that led to the opening goal. Then he completely lost track of Julian Alvarez, allowing the striker to hit the post. Then switched off entirely as Ademola Lookman snuck behind him to convert on the rebound to make it 2-0. Way too lackadaisical for a player of his experience.
Leny Yoro – 4
Was the best United defender on show right up until he was shown a straight red card for putting an arm across Jonathan David. Looked harsh on first glance and that didn’t change upon the VAR review. A sour ending for what was a performance that underlined why centre back, and not right back, is his long term position.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Deserved an assist for the through ball to Marcus Rashford in the first half, only for his team-mate to go with a strike on his laces, rather than side-foot. Had a couple of hairy moments but fared better than he did against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Lisandro Martinez had his hands full all night, as he battles Marcos Llorente (left) for the ball
Ayden Heaven – 5
Starting in an unfamiliar left back role it was a really big ask for the youngster, but he didn’t wilt in one of Europe’s toughest environments. Looked shell-shocked in the early exchanges but settled into the game and showed more experience than some of his older team-mates as United grew into it as a contest. Deserves some credit for that.
Carlos Baleba – 7
Best of the bunch in a United shirt, on what was his first start since making the £70million move from Brighton this summer. Made some key interceptions and defensive recoveries and just added a physicality and an energy that has badly been missing in the centre of the park for United this season. On the losing side but a lot to like from this hour.
Andrey Santos – 5
A rare start but he put himself about and United weren’t atrocious in spells when Santos and Baleba found a groove out of possession. Still going to need to show much more to come close to justifying his £50m price tag in the longer term.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Almost scored when his clipped effort on the counter-attack went agonisingly wide of the post and later hit the bar following a well-worked corner routine with Amad. Showed flashes but also showed some questionable body language that suggests things are just not quite right right now for the Premier League Player of the Year. Looks to be in a funk.
Bruno Fernandes is cutting a frustrating figure right now, making it appear that all is not right
Youri Tielemans – 7
United’s most creative player on the night. Pushed into a No 10 role role for this one in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo and Tielemans looked much more comfortable than he has in some recent games. Pressed with purpose and picked up some clever pockets of space, leading to some of United’s better chances. Should only be used as an option further forward from here.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Had the pace to hurt Atletico Madrid but he wasn’t given the opportunity to show it in an attacking sense enough in the first half. What was the biggest mark against Rashford was his lack of effort tracking back, an issue that goes back a lot longer than his recent return. Wayne Rooney’s punditry on one incident of such at half-time was damning.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Promising but as an attacker you’re judged on goals and the Cameroonian was wasteful when chances at this level are at a premium. He had to score after a clever nut-meg on Cristian Romero, only for his effort inside the area to be blocked by Marcos Llorente. Drew another fine save after a one-two with Tielemans. Will have learned that the Champions League is unforgiving when you can’t finish.
Bryan Mbeumo was a livewire but he learned the hard way that chances at this level are limited
SUBS
Mason Mount (for Carlos Baleba, 66) – 6
Joshua Zirkzee (for Youri Tielemans, 66) – 6
Amad (for Marcus Rashford, 66) – 7
Harry Maguire (for Ayden Heaven, 80) – 7
Matheus Cunha (for Bruno Fernandes, 80) – 6
MANAGER: Michael Carrick – 5
When you can’t catch a break, you can’t catch a break and that’s no doubt how Carrick felt on Tuesday night. Defeat here means it’s still only two wins all season and yet there were plenty of signs in Madrid, with the five or six chances created, that things are improving. But he’s in the eye of the storm now and needs results. Fast.
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)
Oblak 7; Llorente 5, Romero 5, Hancko 6, Grimaldo 6; G Simeone 5 (Le Normand 88), Cardoso 7, Barrios 8 (Pubill 61, 6), Baena 7 (Hjulmand 71, 6); Lee 6 (David 60, 7), Alvarez 7 (Lookman 71, 8)
Goals: Barrios (1), Lookman (79)
Booked: D Simeone, Le Normand
Manager: Diego Simeone 7
