Diego Simeone provides hint at Man Utd tactics - with Luis Suarez snubbed

Luis Suarez is expected to be left out of Atletico Madrid's team to face Manchester United in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening.

The La Liga champions host the battling Premier League outfit in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.

Like United, Atletico are having a season to forget. Diego Simeone's side are currently fifth in the table, level on points with Barcelona in fourth having played a game more.

Suarez has scored 11 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season and, according to Spanish journalist Javier Diaz, Simeone is planning on leaving the veteran out.

It's believed the Argentine will play with five at the back, deploying Angel Correa and Joao Felix up front together.

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Defender Renan Lodi is expected to play left-wing, while Thomas Lemar is a doubt for the game after a close contact tested positive for Covid.

And Antoine Griezmann is set to miss the tie after suffering a thigh injury last month.

United's major injury worry is Edinson Cavani, who is currently nursing a groin strain. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton has a similar complaint but wouldn't be expected to play anyway.

"Cavani will still be out," said interim manager Ralf Rangnick before the team's most recent Premier League game against Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday.

"He's still having some problems with his groin and also his stomach, the same is true with Tom Heaton. Apart from that, everybody seems to be available."

Nemanja Matic is available again after recovering from a shin injury to make the bench for the Leeds game.

"We are grateful we have more players available, once again," added Rangnick.

"Nemanja Matic was back training today for the first time and did quite well and might be available for Sunday against Leeds, if not the next two games."

United will head to Madrid on a high after winning their last two Premier League games against Brighton and their West Yorkshire foes.

The victory against Leeds was particularly impressive, as Rangnick's side scored twice in the second half to win 4-2 after surrendering a 2-0 lead.

"This is the kind of attitude we need to show if we are to be successful this season, both in the Premier League and the Champions League," said the German at full-time.

"Not only the result, but the way we achieved it, is important for Wednesday but also the upcoming league games."

Atletico, meanwhile, won their most recent game 3-0 against Osasuna on Saturday. The result came just three days after they suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Levante.

"We came from a hard blow [against Levante], difficult because we had a few days to prepare for the game against a very tough team." said Simeone after the Osasuna win.

On Atletico's attitude, the manager added: "Everything influences, every year is not the same. And life is just like football, it puts us to the test with obstacles.

"This year, in football, we are living with this situation and we will see if we are able to finish well."