Juventus beat Manchester United 1-0 to take charge of Champions League Group H with a maximum nine points from three games as Cristiano Ronaldo made a winning return to Old Trafford.
Paulo Dybala’s 17th-minute goal, a simple conversion after a low cross from the right by former United favourite Ronaldo, proved decisive but the Italian champions could have returned home with a much more convincing margin.
United’s Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea made a series of good saves including an excellent effort to keep out a second-half strike from Ronaldo.
Paul Pogba struck the post with a left-foot effort from outside the box in the 75th minute but Jose Mourinho’s side struggled to create openings against a solid Juve defence.
Man Utd 0-1 Juventus – what did Jose Mourinho say?
Speaking to BT Sport, Mourinho said: ”In the other side there was huge quality. Sometimes people look for Ronaldo or Dybala but in a top team you have to look to (Giorgio) Chiellini and (Leonardo) Bonucci.
“I think Juventus is this type of team that when they are in front its very difficult.
“I think our attacking players, things were not coming. But everyone tried, everyone was strong mentally to try until the end.
“Juventus felt it and they ended the game with an extra central defender to add to the amazing Chiellini and Bonucci.
“It was a really difficult match for us. I thought we could take something but it was not possible.”
Mourinho was asked if his United side showed too much respect to his Italian opponents tonight.
He replies: “I don’t think so. I tried not to. With the team we played it was to let the boys feel positive and take the positive feeling from our match at Stamford Bridge.
“But Juventus is a different level of quality, I have to be honest. A level of quality, stability, experience, know how. The base of the team they have Bonucci and Chiellini.
“That’s the base that allows them to play with the freedom in attack. ‘Lose the ball, no problem, we are here’.
“We could deserve a goal for the effort of the boys but it was not possible. I have no complaints with my boys. I have a positive feeling for their effort.”
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