Manchester United face Atletico with Bruno affected and system tweaks

Atletico Madrid and Manchester United kick off their Champions League game with Koke missing and Julian Alvarez named in the starting XI. The Guardian’s build-up notes that Alvarez had wanted to leave in the summer, that his previous start came against Liverpool, and that this is his first home start of the season.

On United’s side, the focus is on Bruno Fernandes and how the shape might change. Josh Keeling floats ideas including a diamond with Fernandes behind a front two, or Fernandes used as a false nine. The same piece points out Fernandes hasn’t been at his best this season, highlighting his lack of progress passing against Tottenham and the international-break hint that he has been dealing with an injury.