Manchester United 0 Juventus 1: Champions League frustration for Jose Mourinho on Cristiano Ronaldo's return

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Standard Sport23 October 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford return ended in victory as Juventus secured a 1-0 Champions League win over Jose Mourinho's Manchester United.

Ronaldo played a vital role in the winner as his cross from the right flank was deflected into the path of Paulo Dybala, who made no mistake with a cool finish past David De Gea.

The result is a further setback for Jose Mourinho, who walked to the ground from the team's hotel as traffic problems again affected Old Trafford on a European night.

As expected, Ronaldo's name received a huge reception from both sets of fans when the teams were read out prior to kick-off.

Getty Images

United found themselves behind in the 17th minute to a goal from Dybala. Ronaldo was involved, sending in a cross from the right that Chris Smalling connected with sliding in with Juan Cuadrado. But the ball deflected back into the path of Dybala, who slammed it in from 10 yards.

REUTERS

Juventus continued to look the better team and De Gea saved smartly from Joao Cancelo before Rodrigo Bentancur headed over.

United had a wall of noise behind them whenever they did venture forward but their interplay was slow and Juventus looked comfortable in defence.

Ronaldo had his first sight of goal in the 37th minute with a free-kick from 25 yards that had pace and swerve, and De Gea could only beat it away to the feet of Blaise Matuidi.

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De Gea palmed away the Frenchman's follow-up effort, with Matuidi then heading wide when the ball was crossed back in.

United finished the half having been thoroughly outplayed and fortunate only to be one goal behind.

AFP/Getty Images

United huffed and puffed after the break, but a lack of attacking fluency left the home fans frustrated as Juventus left Old Trafford with as comfortable a 1-0 win as a visiting team could ever expect at the Theatre of Dreams.

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