A FRIENDLY against Atletico Madrid is one of football’s great contradictions, and it was no surprise to see Manchester United dragged into a rather niggly pre-season battle with Diego Simeone’s side as they were beaten by a late Joao Felix goal at the Ullevaal Stadion.

The Brazilian was one of 10 substitutions made by Atletico boss Diego Simeone in the second half, and he struck in the 87th minute to settle this testy affair. The ball was played out to Joao Felix on the left and he cut inside Diogo Dalot before using the Portuguese as a shield to trick David de Gea with a low shot inside his right-hand post.

The afternoon got even worse for United and their new manager Erik ten Hag when Fred was sent off in the 90th minute as he received a second yellow card for planting his foot into the body of Alvaro Morata who was on the floor.

It was the seventh yellow card shown by referee Espen Eskas, two of which came following a 20-man melee just before half-time.

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