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#3 Manchester United to stick with 3-5-2 formation
After a brutal five-goal humiliation against arch-rivals Liverpool, pressure was on Manchester United boss Solskjaer to deliver the goods.
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Much to the surprise of fans and critics alike, Solskjaer opted for a switch in formation against Tottenham Hotspur in their previous match. He went with three at the back with a trio of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. He played two upfront with Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford helped the Red Devils secure a comfortable 3-0 win.
It goes without saying that a tactical switch to the 3-5-2 formation worked wonders for Manchester United. The two-man forward line looked more fluid than usual, with the wingbacks helping them out with an offensive approach. The three-man backline was also solid, which helped them keep a clean sheet against Spurs.
Solskjaer is still under pressure and it is likely that he will stick with the formation that worked in their last game.
#2 Key Absentees to be a concern for Atalanta against Manchester United
Atalanta will be without some of their star players in the high voltage encounter against the Red Devils. Robin Gosens, Hans Hateboer, Matteo Pessina, Rafael Toloi and Berat Djimsiti are all out due to injuries.
The Italian team will be seriously depleted with their coach Gasperini facing an uphill battle in the Champions League. The major absence of Gosens and Toloi from their defense is a point of concern for Atalanta, which is evident from their defensive woes this campaign.
Atalanta have conceded 14 goals in Serie A in just 11 games whereas opponents have scored five goals against them in three Champions League games. Their unorganized backline only proves their woes in defense.
Our guess is that Manchester United will take due advantage of their key absentees.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo to win it for the Red Devils
Despite Manchester United's recent slump, Cristiano Ronaldo has kept showing his prowess in front of goal. The Portuguese great has racked up seven goals and one assist in all competitions for the Premier League giants since arriving in the summer.
Ronaldo scored the winning goals for Manchester United in their two victories in the Champions League, against Villareal and Atalanta. The forward has been crucial for his team in the final third, scoring a goal and providing an assist against Spurs in their last game.
There is no doubt that Ronaldo is the greatest player ever in the Champions League. The 36-year-old knows how to step up in big matches having won the tournament numerous times in his illustrious career. It is highly likely that he will once again be the difference maker between the two teams with his caliber.
