Manchester United fell to Juventus by a 1-0 scoreline in a close contest at Old Trafford. The Italian side grabbed the lead in the first half through Paulo Dybala, and were the better team to start. United pushes on and on, and really grew into the game, but just couldn’t find the tying goal at the end of the night. It will have been disappointing to not pick up any points, but United fans can’t be too upset with the performance.
Mourinho named an unchanged team to the side that drew against Chelsea last Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
United were able to win two early free kicks to start the game, but nothing came of either after Juve were able to head clear.
The first genuine chance of the contest fell to the head of Dybala after a cheeky dinked cross from Cuadrado, but the Argentine headed it wide of the target.
Another long free kick from Young was clipped into the penalty area, and pick out Pogba in the center. The cross was behind him, and the Frenchman had to crank his neck to make contact with the ball. Ultimely, his looping header was easily dealt with.
Juventus were able to opener the scoring soon after. A cross from the right wing from Ronaldo was blocked by Smalling, but the ball sat perfectly for Dybala, who tapped it in from close range to give the Italian side the lead.
The away side really began to control possession, passing it around and around the back. United seemed content, and preferred to sit back and absorb pressure.
Juventus kept up the pressure, and had a half decent chance off a corner. The cross picked out Bentancur, but his header was well off target.
A long free kick was awarded to Juve, with Ronaldo stepping up. He smashed it at De Gea, who punched the effort down. It fell to Matuidi, and his volley was also dealt with by the United goalkeeper.
United came out on the front foot to start the second half. A curling attempt from Martial was blocked, and the ball bounced around the area before cleared away by the Juve defense.
Ronaldo thought he had grabbed a goal on his return to Old Trafford after smashing a shot from the edge of the area towards the top corner, but De Gea did brilliantly to react and get a hand up to block it away.
The game really blew open, as both sides began to hit one another on the counter, but neither could create a gilt edged chance.
United came inches from equalizer, when Pogba hit the post with a curler on his left foot. The call bounced off the post off the head of the Juve keeper, but flew away from goal instead of inside it.
Man Utd kept up the pressure until the very end, but just couldn’t make the breakthrough needed. Luckily for United, Valencia dropped two points on the day, as they failed to win against Young Boys.
Manchester United’s next game is on Sunday, as the Red Devils face Everton at Old Trafford.
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