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Manchester United will face Atletico Madrid in the Snapdragon Cup final at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 BST. The match will be shown live on MUTV, and a penalty shootout will be used if the teams are level after 90 minutes.

There have been three previous editions of the Snapdragon Cup, and United have won it twice. This is the third final the Reds have reached, and they go into it with two wins from three appearances. In the inaugural 2023 edition in San Diego, United were beaten 3-1 by Wrexham. A youthful side that included Jonny Evans in defence saw Marc Jurado score their only goal, after Dan Gore had been sent off early in the second half.

United responded strongly in 2024, again in San Diego, as they brushed aside Real Betis 4-1. Iker Losada gave the Spanish side the lead, but three goals in 13 first-half minutes swung the contest decisively. Marcus Rashford equalised from the penalty spot, Amad scored a stunning effort after being set up by Harry Amass, and Casemiro added another after a Rashford assist that followed an Amad corner. Diego Llorente reduced the deficit late on, but Erik ten Hag’s side were comfortable winners.

Last summer’s edition was staged at Old Trafford, where United drew 1-1 with Fiorentina. Simon Sohm put the Italian side in front before Robin Gosens levelled matters with an own goal. The trophy was then decided on penalties. Altay Bayindir saved Fabiano Parisi’s spot-kick, and Kobbie Mainoo converted the decisive penalty to secure a 5-4 shootout victory. The game also carried one of pre-season’s more emotional storylines, with former United goalkeeper David De Gea lining up in goal for the Serie A club.

Saturday’s opponents represent a much sterner examination. Diego Simeone’s Atletico reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season and come to Stockholm as genuine elite-level opposition rather than simply part of a summer tour. The Snapdragon Cup final should therefore provide a clear indication of how the squad is shaping up before the competitive campaign begins.

For Michael Carrick, the fixture stands as the first truly meaningful benchmark of his spell in charge. The manager has already received early praise for the way he has handled the academy and the broader squad, and lifting the Snapdragon Cup against Champions League semi-finalists would be a neat way to head into the new season.

United are targeting a third Snapdragon Cup triumph in four attempts. Whether the occasion carries serious footballing significance or is viewed mainly as a commercial event, beating Atletico would be a very different challenge from overcoming Wrexham or Real Betis. Whatever the outcome, the result should give Carrick and his staff a useful measure of where the group really stands.