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Opponent Watch: Atalanta receive double injury boost in defence for Man United showdown

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United reacts as he makes his way towards the tunnel at half time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on October 24, 2021 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United last won the UEFA Champions League in 2008 against Chelsea in Moscow. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Opponents Watch: Atalanta receive double injury boost in Rafael Toloi and Merih Demiral for Manchester United showdown

According to TMW (h/t United in Focus), Atalanta are set for a double injury boost for their UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester United next week.

The Italians were already without captain Rafael Toloi, before Merih Demiral limped off during their first leg at the Old Trafford and had to be replaced at half-time.

That can be seen as one of the reasons for Manchester United’s stunning comeback in the second last week. United won their home game against Atalanta 3-2 thanks to a late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United and Michael Carrick, First Team Coach look on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 13, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.
Manchester United take on Atalanta in a Champions League game next week. (Photo by Peter Powell – Pool/Getty Images)

Next week the Red Devils visit Italy, looking to consolidate their position in the group. However, Atalanta have been handed good news ahead of the tie as Rafael Toloi and Merih Demiral have both returned from their respective injuries.

Toloi’s return will be a big boost for the Italian side as he has played more than 200 games for the club since joining Atalanta in 2015.

Surely, it won’t be an easy fixture for the Red Devils keeping their form in mind. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is clinging to his job after United’s humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last week.

Cristiano Ronaldo rallying Manchester United dressing room together to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is fighting for his job at Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

They next take on Spurs ahead of the Atalanta tie and Ole has a big task of keeping his star-studded team motivated ahead of the fixtures. Man United are top of their Champions League table with 6 points from three games.

However, Villarreal, Atalanta and Young Boys are very much in it and will be looking to pounce any mistake United make in upcoming European ties.

Written by Abhishek Nandwani

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