Manchester United travel to in form Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.
While United have struggled through years of managerial changes and disappointing results since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Atletico have remained among Spain’s leading clubs under Diego Simeone, who has been in charge since December 2011.
Ferguson left United in May 2013 after 26 years at the helm, but the club have since gone through seven permanent managers without winning another Premier League title.
Atletico, meanwhile, have won La Liga twice under Simeone, in 2014 and 2021, while reaching two Champions League finals and two further semi-finals. They have also qualified for Europe’s leading club competition every season since 2013-14.
Simeone has built a team around hard work, discipline and determination, gradually allowing Atletico to adopt a more attacking approach without losing their competitive edge.
United, by contrast, have struggled to establish a consistent identity through repeated changes in management and playing style.
Simeone’s side head into Tuesday’s match in strong form after winning four consecutive games in all competitions.
Atletico secured a late 2-1 victory away to Alaves on Saturday, with Argentina forward Julian Alvarez coming close to scoring after appearing as a substitute.
Alvarez, formerly of Manchester City, remained in Madrid despite reported efforts to secure a move to Barcelona during the European summer. He is now showing signs of returning to form.
“I thought Julian looked good today,” Simeone said.
“He came on with enthusiasm, eager to do well and help the team. He finished the match well.”
Atletico are second in La Liga and also recorded an impressive victory over Real Madrid before the recent international break, giving them further momentum ahead of the visit of United.
The Spanish club will also have the advantage of playing at the Metropolitano, which is due to host the Champions League final in June.
United arrive in Madrid under pressure after another inconsistent performance, having drawn 1-1 with Tottenham on Saturday.
Michael Carrick’s side sit 13th in the Premier League and have managed only two victories in eight matches across all competitions this season. Their domestic start has been their worst since 1986-87.
Carrick has acknowledged the need for an immediate improvement but insists his players must remain positive as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.
“We’ve got to stay positive and keep doing the right things. We need to do better and we need more points, of course we do,” he said.
“We’ve got games coming up, and we’ve got to be ready for them and embrace the challenge. It’s a big challenge, a great challenge, and we’re more than capable of winning games.”
The United manager is determined to shift the focus towards Tuesday’s Champions League contest rather than dwell on their disappointing domestic form.
“We’ve got big games coming up and are looking forward to Tuesday now (at Atletico de Madrid). A fresh start, a fresh game and we will go there looking forward to the game,” Carrick said.
United have also faced criticism over their work rate. Against Tottenham, they covered less distance and recorded fewer sprints than their opponents, raising questions about their intensity and commitment.
Such shortcomings would be unlikely to escape the attention of Simeone, whose Atletico teams have built their reputation on relentless pressing, defensive organisation and collective effort.
United opened their Champions League campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani side Sabah, but the trip to Madrid represents a considerably tougher test.
