Confirmed Man United XI vs Atletico Madrid: Lacey number 10, Amad returns

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

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social