Manchester United play their third pre-season friendly this afternoon in Solna, Sweden, against their toughest opposition yet, Atletico Madrid.
Head coach Michael Carrick welcomes back Amad and Altay Bayindir after World Cup duty, but the game comes too soon for Ben Sesko as he continues his rehabilitation following injury.
Defence
Tom Heaton starts in goal. The back four are Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw.
Senne Lammens only returned to training on Thursday, so did not travel. Diogo Dalot, Nous Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez are on their post-World Cup holiday, while Matthijs de Ligt is still injured.
Midfield and Attack
Andrey Santos is in central midfield alongside Mason Mount. Patrick Dorgu starts on the left, with Amad on the right, Shea Lacey in the number 10 role, and Bryan Mbeumo up front. Josh Zirkzee drops to the bench.
Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Matheus Cunha are on holiday, while Ben Sesko is still in individual training following an injury. Manuel Ugarte is a long-term absentee after picking up an ACL injury on World Cup duty with Uruguay. New signing Youri Tielemans only returned to training on Thursday, so he too did not travel.
Substitutes
Bayindir, Radek Vitek and Dermot Mee are the substitute goalkeepers. The outfield subs are Harry Amass, Dan Armer, Jayden Kamason, Tyler Fletcher, Jack Fletcher, Jim Thwaites, JJ Gabriel, Ethan Williams and Zirkzee.
Fans will once again be hoping to see the 15-year-old prodigy Gabriel make his debut today after he was an unused sub last time out against Rosenborg.
Introducing your United XI for today’s @Snapdragon Cup clash! ⚔️🏆
Enjoy LIVE build-up on MUTV from 13:00 BST 📲
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 1, 2026
Kick-off in Solna is at 2pm UK time.
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
