Hancko warns Atletico against complacency as United arrive with 'amazing players'

Atletico Madrid defender David Hancko has warned his side against complacency ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League group-stage fixture against Manchester United in Madrid, insisting the visitors remain dangerous despite sitting on just six Premier League points — their lowest return at this stage of a season since Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986.

United, managed by Michael Carrick in his first full season after earning a permanent two-year contract on the back of his interim spell, drew 1-1 with Tottenham last weekend in a result that increased scrutiny on the 45-year-old. Atletico, currently second in La Liga, are the bookmakers’ favourites, but Hancko is taking nothing for granted.

“Maybe even now they are not coming from a great start to the season, but still, they have amazing players,” the centre-back said on Monday. “So we are not looking at like, ‘ah, we are giant favourites tomorrow, and we’re gonna win the game for sure’. It’s gonna be really difficult. We know about their threats, and we need to play 100 per cent to bring the result tomorrow.”

Hancko also pointed to United’s third-place Premier League finish last season as evidence of their quality, noting the financial strength of the English top flight makes such an achievement significant. “I’m preparing as if it would be a knockout stage game,” he added, “because our draw is really difficult. We need a lot of success and a lot of points, especially from the start.”

Atletico manager Diego Simeone echoed that caution. “Beyond results and draws they’ve got at the start of this season, they did what they did last season in Manchester, and they’re a very strong side,” Simeone said. “We will have to take the game to them.”

The Spanish side’s manager also praised his own team’s recent form, noting they “handled the game the way we should have played” at the weekend, but stressed that United’s pressing style and off-the-ball intensity would demand a full performance from his squad.

For Carrick, the trip to the Metropolitano represents a significant early test of his credentials at the highest level, with United needing a result to ease mounting pressure both domestically and in Europe.