Atletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United: Barrios 1, Lookman 79
Manchester United’s winless run reached five matches after Atletico Madrid condemned Michael Carrick’s side to a 2-0 defeat in the Champions League, with an early Pablo Barrios goal and a late dismissal for Leny Yoro compounding the visitors’ problems.
Ademola Lookman sealed the victory in the closing stages at the Metropolitano after United had threatened to recover from their disastrous start. The result increases the pressure on Carrick, whose side have struggled to build on their decent end to last season.
The loss in Madrid comes three days after United conceded a late equaliser against ten-man Tottenham, prompting boos from their own supporters.
Here United were behind inside a minute. Lee Kang-in released Alex Baena down the left, and the midfielder drove into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Barrios. His first-time effort took a deflection off Ayden Heaven and found the net, leaving United chasing the game almost immediately.
Barrios celebrated by holding up six fingers in tribute to Atletico captain Koke, whose mother had died earlier that day. The home supporters responded with a loud reception as Diego Simeone’s side looked to build on their advantage.
United gradually found their way into the contest, with Bryan Mbeumo going close on two occasions. He first fired wide after working space on the right before Jan Oblak denied him from close range following a move involving Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. Baleba then headed straight at the Atletico goalkeeper from the resulting corner.
The visitors could not maintain that momentum. Atletico controlled possession and repeatedly found space between United’s defensive lines, with Barrios and Baena particularly influential. The hosts had most of the ball in the first half and came close to extending their lead.
Alex Grimaldo struck the crossbar with a free-kick, while Johnny Cardoso appeared to have scored shortly before half-time. However, a VAR review ruled out his goal after Marcos Llorente handled the ball in the build-up.
Atletico threatened again shortly after the restart when Barrios picked out Julian Alvarez, whose volley struck the post. United were fortunate to remain within one goal, but they also had a clear opportunity to draw level.
Bruno Fernandes found himself through on goal after an excellent pass from Tielemans, with Oblak advancing to narrow the angle. The United captain lifted his effort beyond the goalkeeper but sent it narrowly wide of the post.
Baena then bent a shot wide at the other end as Atletico continued to create openings. Carrick responded by making a triple substitution in the 65th minute, introducing Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee for Marcus Rashford, Tielemans and Baleba.
The changes helped United take better control of possession, and Fernandes came close to equalising when his effort from a short corner struck the crossbar. For a spell, the visitors looked like they could rescue a point, with Atletico offering less of an attacking threat than they had before the break.
The chance disappeared when Yoro was sent off after a challenge on Jonathan David. The referee, Glenn Nyberg, initially allowed play to continue, but a VAR review led him to issue a red card for the foul on the Canadian striker.
Atletico pounced with Grimaldo playing the ball into David inside the penalty area, and although Senne Lammens saved his shot, Lookman was on hand to convert the rebound and make it 2-0. Then United threw in the towel.
