Manchester United’s poor start to the 2026/27 campaign continued on Tuesday evening as they were beaten by Atletico Madrid in their Champions League clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
The Red Devils went into the match on a four-game winless run and would have been itching to return to winning ways in the Spanish capital. They were unable to get the three points they wanted as they fell to a 2-0 defeat.
United got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind in the opening minute. Giuliano Simeone found Pablo Barrios inside the box and the 23-year-old’s effort squirmed underneath Senne Lammens and into the net.
The Red Devils’ chances of getting back into the game took a major blow when Leny Yoro picked up a red card in the 74th minute, and Ademola Lookman scored Atletico’s second four minutes later to ensure Atletico took all three points.
Carlos Baleba Verdict Given by Man Utd Fans
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Carlos Baleba, who signed for Man United in a £70m move from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, played his first match for the club last weekend, coming on as a second half substitute against Tottenham Hotspur. He impressed during his 31-minute cameo.
He was named in their starting lineup for the first time at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Starting alongside fellow summer signing Andrey Santos in the middle of the park, the Cameroonian played 66 minutes before making way for Mason Mount.
He was given a rating of 6.9/10 by SofaScore. The 22-year-old completed 16 of his 18 passes, completed both of his attempted dribbles and had a header from within the six-yard box saved by Jan Oblak.
He also won five of his seven ground duels, won his only aerial duel, made one interception and lost the ball six times. His highlights from the match have now emerged, which you can view below.
Despite the defeat, United were pleased with Baleba’s performance.
One fan said: ‘Baleba is the only player showing the right energy and intensity on the pitch. Enjoy it while it lasts before the laziness virus from the others spreads to him too.’
A second wrote: ‘Baleba can hold his head high, really good couple shifts from him,’ while a third commented: ‘A glimmer of hope in darkness.’
A fourth said: ‘Carlos Baleba is a one man team out there, ridiculous footballer,’ while a fifth stated: ‘This Baleba profile is actually ridiculous. Kante’s engine with Pogba’s ball carrying.’
While a United fan on Reddit said: ‘Although we lost both matches Carlos Baleba has stood out! His work rate is brilliant, his physicality is great and he’s playing like someone who wants to wear the badge. I thought we was unlucky to get subbed off, but he is returning from injury. I appreciate tonight morale is low and rightly so, but lets take a second to appreciate we might have signed a real player for the future here!
Wayne Rooney was also impressed by Baleba, saying on Amazon Prime after the match, per The People’s Person: “Baleba coming in was excellent and added that extra energy and Santos did well in there as well so overall I thought there were more positives.
Baleba will be hoping to be in United’s starting lineup for their next match against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
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