Atalanta vs Manchester United - Combined XI | UEFA Champions League 2021-21

Atalanta will face Manchester United for the second-leg of their Champions League clash in Bergamo on Wednesday.

The two sides played out a pulsating five-goal thriller at Old Trafford last month. The Red Devils produced a sensational comeback from 2-0 to score thrice in the second half, winning 3-2.

Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored apiece in the second-half to wipe out Gli Orobici's lead.

Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral were among the goals for Atalanta.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side will have revenge on their minds as another setback could be detrimental to their progression hopes. However, their recent form has been patchy, winning only once in their last four games in all competitions.

Manchester United were also in limbo until their convincing victory at the weekend over Tottenham Hotspur, which has restored their confidence.

Either way, we have another tasty fixture on our hands on Wednesday.

Ahead of the mouth-watering kick-off, here's how Atalanta and Manchester United will stack up in a combined XI: (Formation:4-1-3-2)

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Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United)

De Gea is searching for his first European clean sheet of the season

Juan Musso and David De Gea have both made 12 saves in the Champions League so far this season. This is behind only Ersin Destanoglu (Besiktas) and Georgios Athanasiadis (Sheriff Tiraspol), both on 15.

But the latter gets a spot here for his sheer wealth of experience. Moreover, he's rediscovered his best form this season despite Manchester United's patchy run.

De Gea even won the man-of-the-match award for a solid performance against Villarreal last month. Although he's yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition, the Spaniard's intervention will be crucial again tomorrow.

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

Wan-Bissaka has been impressive lately

His attacking output leaves a lot to be desired but Wan-Bissaka more than makes up for that with his defensive prowess.

He's been criticized lately for rusty performances but the Englishman responded with a talismanic display against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. He even produced a superb block on Heung-min Son, who had run past United's backline and was almost one-on-one with the keeper.

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Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Manchester United)

Varane has taken little time to prove his worth to United

Varane's importance to Manchester United was clear when he returned from injury at the weekend. The side ended up registering their first clean sheet in 10 games!

In fact, they've conceded only six times in the seven games that he's played, as compared to 14 on the other six occasions that he didn't.

An accomplished centre-back with an envious trophy cabinet to boast, the Frenchman will be valuable in shutting out Atalanta tomorrow.

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Centre-back: Marten De Roon (Atalanta)

De Roon has impressed in both defensive midfield and centre-back positions

From playing in the Championship with Middlesbrough in 2017 to starring for Atalanta, De Roon has certainly come a long way in the last few years.

A defensive midfielder by trade, his versatility has allowed the Dutchman to excel in a centre-back position too. He is known for reading the game brilliantly and timing his tackles to perfection.

He has averaged close to three tackles per game in the competition this season and has made eight ball recoveries. His stoppage-time equalizer against Lazio at the weekend showed he's got an eye for goal too.

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Left-back: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)

Shaw was impressive against Tottenham at the weekend

Shaw is another player who recovered from a horrow show against Liverpool with a solid performance last weekend. He will look to continue in the same vein on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old is an excellent passer of the ball. He has been dominant aerially too, averaging three duels won per game in the Champions League this season.

He also assisted Ronaldo for United's winning goal against Atalanta last month with a sensational cross. More heroics to follow?

Defensive midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Pogba will be crucial in breaking lines to get the ball forward

He's mostly come off the bench this season but given the circumstances right now, Ole would be wise to start Pogba on Wednesday.

Whenever the Frenchman is on the pitch, he runs their midfield with energy, intelligence and great passion.

He's a fantastic passer of the ball too and can turn the screw in a game with one excellent cross. His ability to score goals, really beautiful goals, is well-documented too.

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Right winger: Josip Ilicic (Atalanta)

Illicic has six goals in 15 Champions League games

As far as underrated Serie A players go, Ilicic is near the top. He's been pounding the net with remarkable consistency since joining from Fiorentina in 2017 and also regularly chips in with an assist or two. He has scored 59 goals in 162 appearances for Atalanta since joining.

Ilicic is a versatile player with the ability to play anywhere across the attacking frontline. The Slovenian sharpshooter combines excellent ball control with eye-catching dribbling skills to get past his markers.

He's yet to open his account in the Champions League this season, but what better occasion to do that than this, right?

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Central Attacking Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Fernandes was on fire in the first-leg

Fernandes has left us exhausted of superlatives. Even in a stuttering squad like this, he's shone through with his talismanic displays, carrying the creative burden on his shoulders whilst scoring regularly.

Against Atalanta last month, the Portuguese talisman created nine chances and made one assist. This was his fourth assist in the competition this season, the highest at this stage.

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Left winger: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Rashford is back from injury with a bang

A shoulder injury forced Rashford to miss the first few weeks of the season. But since his return to the fold, he's looked unstoppable, bagging three goals in four games, including one against Atalanta.

It's a testament not only to his quality but also how important the winger is for the Red Devils. He's ferociously quick, incredibly clever and lethal at finishing, maturing into a world-class prospect under Ole.

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Ronaldo has 135 goals in the Champions League, including three in three games this season

Ronaldo's confidence is soaring after netting a spectacular volley against Tottenham on Saturday that ended his four-game goalless run in the league.

In Europe, though, he's been perfectly okay, netting once in each of their three games so far, including an 81st-minute winner against Atalanta.

It was his fourth strike against them in seven games, having bagged a few with Juventus in Serie A. Also, given his unending appetite for goals, he'll be gunning for more.

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Striker: Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)

Zapata has been unstoppable since joining Atalanta, three years ago!

One of football's late bloomers, Zapata has established himself as among the best strikers in the last three years. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, the Colombian has scored 72 goals and made 35 assists!

Known for his speed, powerful physique and ruthless accuracy, Zapata is as deadly as a striker could get. He's wanted by Serie A's bigwigs and another banger on Wednesday could strengthen his case in that regard.