Owen predicts Atalanta vs Man Utd result ahead of Champions League showdown

The former Manchester United striker has had his say on how he thinks his old side will fare in a must-win Champions League contest against Serie A outfit Atalanta in Bergamo

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Solskjaer and Fernandes laud Man Utd attacking talent

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has given his pre-match prediction ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Atalanta for their fourth Champions League group stage game of the season.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have earned himself some much-needed breathing room after registering a crucial victory over TottenhamHotspur on Saturday.

Speculation over Solskjaer’s future as Man Utd boss has been rife since the 5-0 home humiliation at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool, but the Norwegian remains in charge for now.

Solskjaer will know how crucial a win away at Atalanta could prove to be in terms of maintaining whatever kind of feel-good factor there is around the club following the Spurs win.

HAVE YOUR SAY! How far can Man Utd go in the Champions League this year? Comment below.

The Serie A side ran United dangerously close last time out at Old Trafford, boasting a 2-0 lead at half-time.

However, a Cristiano Ronaldo- inspired comeback ensured United’s blushes were spared and Solskjaer’s men came away with all three points.

Speaking to BetVictor, former United goalscorer Owen believes another win over their Italian counterparts could be a task too far tonight.

Referring to the win over Spurs last weekend, Owen claimed: “That was a huge, potentially season-saving win for United on Saturday.

“I thought the change of shape worked really well and the strike duo of Cavani and Ronaldo caused lots of problems.

“This will be a tough game for them though and a point would be an excellent result. I’m going for 1-1.”

United’s form in recent weeks has been dismal, but Saturday’s victory could provide a springboard to kick-start some form ahead of a daunting run of fixtures.

Should Solskjaer stay as United boss? Vote below…

After the trip to Atalanta, United are posed with arguably the toughest test the Premier League has to offer in the form of a clash with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

A defeat to their local rivals and ‘noisy neighbours’ would quash any kind of momentum the win over Spurs provided, United already cast adrift from their title rivals.

Solskjaer’s men currently sit in fifth, four points behind a faltering Man City side and eight points behind league leaders Chelsea.

Ahead of tonight’s contest, Solskjaer highlighted the strengths of United’s opponents.

“They had quality to score when they got the opportunities and we had to be patient to break them down because they’re hard to break down,” the Norwegian explained.

“You’re away from home, it’s going to be a different atmosphere. I think the fans were unbelievable that game, I think you have to praise them again.

“When they’ve got the ball they’re aggressive, high intensity. It was a high running game [at Old Trafford], with the stats so you have to be prepared for that again, you have to suffer.”