How to watch Atalanta v United

Despite recent mixed form domestically, the Reds sit top of Group F at the halfway stage and can take control of the group with a second victory over Gian Piero Gasperini’s side in a fortnight.

The 3-2 win at Old Trafford in October wasn’t exactly short of drama, so expect another fascinating European tie.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION

The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT and is being broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport 2. As usual, you can follow all the matchday build-up and post-match analysis, plus radio commentary of the game itself, on MUTV. The programme begins at 18:55 GMT. Live updates are also available on ManUtd.com and in our Official App.

TEAM NEWS

Paul Pogba will be available to play for United. The Frenchman’s current suspension, awarded after his red card for a foul on Liverpool’s Naby Keita, only applies to domestic matches. He has already missed the game with Tottenham and will also sit out Premier League clashes with Manchester City and Watford.

For Atalanta, defenders Berat Djimsiti (arm), Robin Gosens (thigh) and Hans Hateboer (foot) are long-term absentees, as is midfielder Matteo Pessina (thigh). Captain Rafael Toloi missed the Old Trafford encounter through injury, with fellow centre-back Merih Demiral withdrawn at half-time with a hamstring injury. Former Middlesbrough midfielder Marten De Roon has been deputising as part of a back three in recent weeks, although Demiral returned as a starter in Atalanta's most recent game, with Lazio.

LAST TIME OUT

The matchday-three contest at Old Trafford was the first time the two sides had ever met – and what an occasion it was! La Dea went into the break two goals to the good, thanks to Mario Pasalic and Demiral, but United roared back in the second half, halving the deficit when Marcus Rashford ran on to Bruno Fernandes’s brilliant through ball to sweep home. Captain Harry Maguire then equalised with 15 minutes to play, before Cristiano Ronaldo raised the roof six minutes later, with his bullet header from Luke Shaw’s cross sending us top of Group F.

HOW GROUP F STANDS

With United on six points and Atalanta on four, another victory would see us take a huge step towards the last 16, as we would be at least five points ahead of two of the other sides in the group with just two games to play. Elsewhere in the pool, Villarreal (four points) host Young Boys (three) at El Madrigal. The Yellow Submarine were convincing 4-1 winners in Bern a fortnight ago.

FORM GUIDE

United go into Tuesday's game in Italy having got back to winning ways at the weekend, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford all on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Reds now have a point to prove away from home in Europe though, after the shock 2-1 reverse to Young Boys in September. Before the 3-2 defeat to Roma in May at the Stadio Olimpico, we twice won impressively in Italy last season, with Pogba's goal at the San Siro settling the Europa League tie with AC Milan. Prior to that, the Reds beat Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin in February, with the game being moved due to COVID restrictions.

As for Atalanta, they also played on Saturday, with a 94th-minute equaliser from Marten de Roon rescuing a point in stoppage time of their Serie A clash at home to Lazio. That goal cancelled out visiting forward Ciro Immobile's strike and was the second time in the game that La Dea had come from behind to level the contest, after Duvan Zapata had earlier equalised following Pedro's opener.

Prior to that match, the Italians hadn’t exactly given supporters at the Gewiss Stadium much to cheer this season, with just two wins from six home games. Sassuolo (2-1) and Young Boys (1-0) were the victims, but Bologna, Fiorentina, Milan and Udinese have all left Bergamo with points so far in 2021/22.

FIXTURE DETAILS

Match officials for the game are still to be confirmed.

RIVALS WATCH

GROUP E

Bayern Munich v Benfica
Dynamo Kiev v Barcelona

GROUP F

Atalanta v UNITED
Villarreal v Young Boys

GROUP G

Wolfsburg v RB Salzburg (17:45 GMT)
Sevilla v Lille

GROUP H

Malmo v Chelsea (17:45 GMT)
Juventus v Zenit St Petersburg

All kick-offs 20:00 GMT unless stated.