Atletico Madrid ends Erik ten Hag’s unbeaten race with a 1-0 defeat

After losing to Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Saturday, Manchester United’s unblemished preseason streak came to an end in Oslo.

In their penultimate friendly, Erik ten Hag’s team had the upper hand for significant stretches of the game but were defeated by a late Joao Felix goal.

Early on, despite Atletico’s aggressive pushing, Man Utd had the first opportunity when Tyrell Malacia evaded Marcos Llorente’s attempts to find Bruno Fernandes, who then set Marcus Rashford free. However, Rashford’s close-range drive was well stopped by Jan Oblak.

Anthony Martial should have broken the deadlock moments later when Jose Maria Gimenez misjudged a loose ball over the top and the Frenchman sprinted in behind, but he lost his composure and fired over when one on one with Oblak.

At the other end, Angel Correa spurned a great chance to put Atletico in front when the ball fell to him from an in-swinging free kick, but he sliced his shot and it ended up staying in play.

A cross from Llorente right through the Man Utd box was just missed by Thomas Lemar, who was put off by a challenge from Diogo Dalot as the Red Devils survived another scare.

The two sides got embroiled in a mini brawl just before half-time after Scott McTominay impeded Oblak, with both ending up in the referee’s book.

Anthony Elanga should have worked the Slovenian a bit more at the end of a fine Man Utd move, with Rashford finding him in space just inside the 18-yard box, but the Swede’s shot was very tame.

After the break, Harry Maguire did well to deny Matheus Cunha a clear sight of goal when sprinting through on the counter, before Fernandes attempted but failed to beat Oblak at his near post from a 35-yard free kick.

Saul Niguez somehow managed to sky a cutback from six yards out, while Anthony Elanga and Rashford were inches away from meeting a wonderful cross from debutant Christian Eriksen.

The Dane’s influence continued when he placed a corner right onto the head of Maguire, but the captain somehow couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Atletico took the lead with just five minutes remaining when Alvaro Morata held up the ball well for Felix, who in turn cut inside Diogo Dalot and picked out the bottom corner.

Fred received a second booking in stoppage time and Man Utd was unable to respond, suffering defeat for the first time under Ten Hag. They welcome Rayo Vallecano to Old Trafford tomorrow in their final friendly of pre-season.