MANCHESTER UNITED 0, JUVENTUS 1
Paulo Dybala’s goal may have been the only difference between the sides but the gulf in class was massive as Juventus easily beat Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford.
United were rendered ineffectual by Juventus who dominated the first half before and after Dybala’s 17th minute tap-in after Chris Smalling had been beaten to Ronaldo’s cross by Juan Cuadrado.
The Reds were late to arrive again at Old Trafford again after heavy traffic in the area and in an atmosphere of anticipation for the return of Ronaldo to Old Trafford surprising named an unchanged team for the game against a well rested Juventus.
Unable to make an impression on the visitors’ hugely talented and experienced defence, United went behind thanks to a mistake by Chris Smalling, who couldn’t keep up with Juan Cuadrado as he reached Ronaldo’s cross first and flicked the ball back to an unmarked Paulo Dybala for a tap-in.
United keeper David De Gea had to make several astute saves to keep the score down, twice from Ronaldo and once from Blaise Matuidi while ex-Arsenal custodian Wojciech Szczesny only had one tame effort – a Paul Pogba header – to keep hm busy.
And with minutes to go the Italians shut up shop in a way that the Reds have been unable to this season, adding the experience of 37 year old Andrea Barzagli to the defence as they saw out a very impressive victory at Old Trafford.
To add insult to injury the visiting fans taunted United manager Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese responding with another three finger gesture, which appeared to show off the treble he won with Inter Milan.
Having already made a similar gesture at Stamford Bridge after United’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea, Mourinho seems to be continuing to score points against his detractors and tried to make an extra point tonight when he chose to make no substitutions against the Italian Giants.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 0, Juventus 1
David De Gea: 7. Great save from Ronaldo’s free kick and then Blaise Matuidi’s follow-up. Tipped over a great shot by Ronaldo. Bailed out Lindelof when he went to sleep watching a slightly overhit pass by Pjanic to Ronaldo.
Ashley Young: 6. Given a torrid time by Ronaldo whenever he went to the left.
Chris Smalling: 5. Lost out to Juan Cuadrado when Ronaldo’s cross came in, the ball broke to Paulo Dybala who had a tap-in.
Victor Lindelof: 7. A shaky start but grew into the game. Cut out a certain second goal for Juve, blocking a couple of crosses to Ronaldo by Matuidi and Ronaldo and took a fierce last gasp shot by Ronaldo full in the face at the end.
Luke Shaw: 6. Did not win his battle with Juan Cuadrado.
Nemanja Matic: 6. Bypassed by the Juve attackers until he was assigned to get closer to Pjanic in the second half.
Paul Pogba: 7. Tame header comfortably saved by Szczesny. Unable to impose himself but hit the post late on when Juve got sloppy at the back (briefly).
Marcus Rashford: 5. Off night on the right wing, given the run-around by Alex Sandro and steamrollered by Chiellini despite trying his best to get around the Juve defence.
Juan Mata: 5. Some good set pieces but not much service.
Anthony Martial: 5. Just one shot on target easily saved by Szczesny
Romelu Lukaku: 5. No change out of Giorgio Chiellini.
GOAL – Manchester United 0, Juventus 1
Man Utd 0, Juventus 1: 17. Paulo Dybala had a tap in when Ronaldo’s right wing cross came off Juan Cuadrado who was challenging with Chris Smalling for the ball.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 0, Juventus 1
Man Utd: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Rashford, Mata, Martial, Lukaku
Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Bailly, Pereira, Fred, Herrera, Darmian, Chong
Booked: Young 78
Juventus: Szczesny, Cancelo (Costa 87), Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro, Betancur, Pjanic, Matuidi, Cuadrado (Barzagli 81), Ronaldo, Dybala (Bernardesci 78)
Juventus Subs not used: Perin, De Sciglio, Benatia, Kean
Booked: Matuidi 59, Chiellini 83
Goal: Dybala 17
Attendance: 73,936