Lookman off the bench as Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0

Ademola Lookman came off the bench to score the goal that settled it as Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Pablo Barrios had given Atlético the lead in the opening minute at the Metropolitano. Lookman, the former Everton striker, added the second in the 79th minute, and United also lost defender Leny Yoro to a straight red card.

For Atlético, it was a timely result. Football España reported that the win gave them their first points in the Champions League this season. For Manchester United, it was another painful result in a run that is starting to define their campaign.

A start United could not recover from

The game was barely under way before United were behind. ESPN reported that Barrios opened the scoring after 47 seconds, and AFP also had the goal in the first minute.

Conceding that early away from home in Europe is about as bad a start as a side can make. It handed Atlético the initiative from the first whistle and forced United to chase the game.

The visitors could not find a way back. As the match wore on, Atlético kept their lead intact, and the decisive moment eventually came from a substitute.

Lookman makes the difference

Lookman was brought on from the bench, and he made the change count. Sky Sports reported that he scored on the rebound to double Atlético's lead, and AFP had the goal in the 79th minute.

It was the kind of finish that rewards a forward for being in the right place: alert to the loose ball and quick to punish it. BBC Sport described the former Everton striker as having sealed the victory, and that is exactly what the goal did. At 2-0, with a little over ten minutes left, there was no way back for United.

For a player arriving from the bench, it was a strong contribution. He changed the scoreline in a game where Atlético needed a second goal to feel secure.

Yoro dismissed as United's run goes on

United's evening got worse with the dismissal of Yoro. Sky Sports reported that referee Glenn Nyberg showed the defender a straight red card after an on-field review.

According to ESPN, Yoro was sent off for taking out Jonathan David when David was through on goal.

The bigger picture is grim for Michael Carrick's side. ESPN reported that the defeat extended United's winless run to five matches. BBC Sport noted that they had also become the first English side to lose in the Champions League this season.

That is an unwanted distinction, and United now carry the extra weight of a European loss alongside their wider struggle for results.

The red card only compounded a difficult night for Carrick at a time when he is already searching for answers.

Elsewhere in the Champions League on the same night, AFP reported that Bayern Munich were held to a 3-3 draw away to Viking Stavanger.

United have little time to dwell on Madrid. They return to Premier League action on Sunday 18 October, when they travel to Leeds for a 13:00 UTC kick-off, with a five-match winless run hanging over them and the chance to end it.