Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United despite playing against ten men

Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0 on the second matchday of the league phase. The English side were reduced to ten late on, but could not stop the Madrid club from claiming their first European win of the season and its first three points. Manchester United also remain on three points after winning their opening match.

Atlético had taken the lead in the first minute. Álex Baena started the move and supplied Pablo Barrios, who finished it. Manchester United responded, with Bryan Mbeumo creating dangerous chances, but could not find an equaliser before half-time.

The match turned again in the final quarter-hour: Leny Yoro was sent off directly after fouling Jonathan David, who was heading towards a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Manchester United therefore had to finish with ten players while still trying to get back into the game.

This was only Manchester United’s second defeat in its last 12 meetings with Spanish teams; the English club had won seven and drawn three in that run. Its start to the Premier League season had also been difficult: six points from six matchdays, a record that put Michael Carrick under threat of dismissal.

For Atlético, the result marked a first positive outcome in this European campaign after a 1-2 defeat to Liverpool on the opening matchday. Manchester United, meanwhile, had begun with a 4-0 win over Sabah before suffering its first defeat in the competition.