Juve too good for toothless Red Devils
Jose Mourinho bemoaned the chasm between his Manchester United side and Juventus as the Italian champions won 1-0 on Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet, but played a role by helping set up Paulo Dybala's winner on 17 minutes as Juventus opened up a five-point lead at the top of Group H.
Jose Mourinho's men were handed a break before kick-off as Valencia's 1-1 draw away to Young Boys means United still hold a two-point lead over the Spaniards, but the season's fourth defeat will see speculation over Mourinho's future increase.
And in keeping with his complaints all season, Mourinho suggested United need to invest more to get to Juventus' level.
"Mr. Bonucci, Mr. Giorgio Chiellini, they could go to Harvard to give some classes about how to be a central defender," said Mourinho, whose attempts to add a centre-back in the summer were thwarted. "Juventus is champions for seven years, two Champions League finals in the last four or five years and they are not happy with what they have, they want more."
"They go for the best players in the world. A big club with a big past but also a big desire to have a big future."
Ronaldo was given a hero's welcome to Old Trafford. It was the second time he returned since his visit with Real Madrid in 2013, and although he did not score, he was applauded off at full time with chants of 'Viva Ronaldo' all around.
"I'm satisfied because we are continuing to grow, especially in terms of confidence, and that allowed us to impose our game in this difficult stadium," said Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri.
United grew into the match in the second half, something that has become a feature. They began to press the Juventus players and forced a few errors but, with little creativity in the final third and no feasible options on the bench due to injury, were unable to get the goal they so desperately sought.
Paul Pogba, facing his former side for the first time, came closest, hitting the post with a shot from outside the box.
That second half tested Juve's resolve and Bonucci, Chiellini and Dybala all praised their defensive efforts.
"It was a fantastic night and I'm really happy. Playing at stadiums like this and Wembley, where I scored last year, is the stuff you dream of as a kid," said Dybala. "We played brilliantly in the first half, partly because United left us some space. They sorted themselves out in the second half, as we expected them to, but we played a really good defensive game."
Comments