MAN UNITED 0, JUVENTUS 1
It was a defeat that underlined how far Manchester United have fallen behind Europe’s elite.
The Reds were comprehensively beaten by Italian champions on the night Cristiano Ronaldo made an emotional return to Old Trafford.
Though Paulo Dybala’s 17th minute strike was the only goal of the game, Juve could and should have won by a more emphatic margin.
And that was underlined by impressive stats as Juve enjoyed 60-per-cent possession – it had been 70 in the opening period.
They also had 14 goal attempts to United’s six that prove Juve didn’t come to defend as they were a threat throughout offensively while defensively were solid as a rock.
And the loss leaves United, with four points from three games, still with plenty to do to qualify from group H, though they were assisted by Young Boys holding Valencia in the other game.
It left Reds’ manager Jose Mourinho to reflect on how good their opponents are, explaining: “We played against one of the biggest candidates to win the Champions League.
“They have won seven league titles in a row and been in two Champions League finals in the last four or five years, but they want more.
“They go for the best players in the world. They are a big club with a big past and desire for a big future.
“We did every possible to get a different result, especially in the second half against Mr (Leonardo) Bonucci and Mr (Giorgio) Chiellini who could go to Harvard to give a lesson in defending.
“They have talent everywhere and quality all over the pitch.
“It was a difficult match as they a lot of ball in the first half and frustrated us. In the second half we were more aggressive and I was pleased with the effort from the boys.”
Mourinho added he was unable to make offensive changes – he didn’t make any substitutions – as Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Marouane Fellaini were all injured.
But there was praise for his players, especially Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling at centre back and left-back Luke Shaw.
And while United cannot match Juve financially Mourinho added it is their goal to improve their players.
Mourinho admitted Romelu Lukaku, without a goal for one month, is lacking confidence.
There were problems before the game as United only arrived 50 minutes before kick off, the second successive European game in which they have been delayed in traffic from their hotel.
He fielded a rare unchanged line up as he began with the same side that started Saturday’s league game at Chelsea.
It was all about the return to Old Trafford of Reds’ legend Ronaldo, though Juventus had former Premier League players Wojciech Szczesny and Juan Cuadrado among their starters.
United will find themselves in further trouble with UEFA after a pitch invader interrupted play after only three minutes, the only action of a tepid opening in which there was a distinct lack of goalmouth action.
Juve had the first chance in the 13th minute when Dybala headed tamely wide when well placed to meet a Cuadrado cross.
United’s first opening moments later saw Paul Pogba latched on to Juan Mata’s free kick, but his header was easily saved.
Juve made the breakthrough in the 17th minute when Dybala found the net.
Ronaldo inevitably had a hand providing the assist with a low cross from the right that Chris Smalling, tangling with Cuadrado, failed to clear as Dybala slotted home a low shot from eight yards.
And it could have been 2-0 had United keeper David De Gea not saved well to deny Joao Cancelo.
Juve, with 72-per-cent possession in the opening half hour, had another chance when Rodrigo Bentancur headed over from a Miralem Pjanic corner.
The Italians went close again when Ronaldo’s fierce free kick was beaten out by De Gea who also parried Biaise Matuidi’s follow-up. And when the ball was put back into the mix, Ronaldo’s header looped just over Dybala bent a shot just wide and it remained largely one-way traffic to the break as Juve’s opening-period dominance was awesome.
The start to the second period was a mirror image of the opening 45 minutes as Juve again dominated as United struggled to gain possession.
Juve again came close to a second goal after a swift counter attack ended with Cuadrado cutting the ball back for Ronald who forced a fine fingertip save from De Gea.
United’s first clear-cut chance came in the 75th minute when Juve were caught in possession close to their goal.
Pogba’s fierce drive struck the upright and then cannoned off Szczesny to safety.
And in the last minute, Anthony Martial forced an easy save from Szczesny as United ran out of both time and ideas to break down a resolute Juve defence.
At the end it was Ronaldo who was last to leave the pitch and, as the true showman he is, he milked the praise and adulation of the home fans.
Two fans ran on to the pitch at the end to greet their hero and there was the bizarre sight of one being apprehended by stewards but still having a selfie that was taken by Ronaldo who clearly had sympathy for him.