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The Champions League group stage draw concluded with a buzz around the world about the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba to their former clubs. Irrespective of what the outcome of the group stage would be the excitement and the anticipation was surreal.
After winning their opening two matches, Juventus led the group table with six points followed by Manchester United at four. The two clashed on matchday three at Old Trafford where the scoreline didn't reflect how poor the home side was. Though Ronaldo could not score, it was a happy coming nonetheless for the Portuguese.
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United got bashed for their performance against the Italian side. They started the game slowly and were punished by Paulo Dybala which turned out to be the only goal of the game. The attacking intent was sorely lacking from the Red Devils. The Old Trafford atmosphere was relatively quiet and the players looked clueless from the outset, with no proper game plan on show.
Game week 4 would see the return fixture where Turin would host the side from Manchester, and Paul Pogba would be returning to the stadium where he truly became a star. The stakes are high as United cannot afford to lose again which might see them drop to third in the group and would need to make up a lot of ground to qualify for the knockout stages.
With a lot of world-class players involved, here are three key battles which could decide the outcome of the match.
#3 Anthony Martial vs Joao Cancelo
Anthony Martial is the inform player for Manchester United at the moment. The Frenchman has five goals in his last four outings for the club and looks like the one who could create something whenever he has the ball. He is Jose Mourinho's go to man at the moment.
Martial would be up against a young Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo, who has impressed for Juventus and drawn the interest of many European clubs. At Old Trafford, he got the better of the Frenchman, barely allowing him to get a free pass down the flanks.
It could be a battle to watch, and Mourinho would be hoping Martial can get the better of him this time which might be essential in deciding the fate of the game.
#2 Pogba & Matic vs Matuidi & Pjanic
Pjanic is the creator of the current Juventus side while Matudi is the destructor. The Bosnian and the Frenchman have combined well in the midfield, and together they are a threat to any opposition. Pjanic has established himself as one the best midfielders in the world since his time in Rome while Matuidi is still going strong despite being in the twilight of his career.
Both of them would be up against two of the best that Manchester United has in that position - Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. The Serbian, however, has been criticized a lot for his performances this season and even in the previous game he was poor. Matic is Mourinho's favourite player, and like Matuidi, he provides the defensive stability to the team.
Pogba, on the other hand, would be emotional after returning to the club which provided him with the platform to flourish. The focus would be on him how he comes up against his former teammates. It has often been reported that Paul doesn't perform in big matches and he would be itching to prove his doubters wrong.
At Old Trafford, the Juventus midfield won the battle handsomely and whether the United midfield combo can get the better of their opponent remains to be seen.
#1 Ronaldo & Dybala vs Smalling & Lindelof
Smalling and Lindelof were United's best players in the last meeting between the two sides. Especially Lindelof was praised for his interceptions and tackles. Yet, the lack of quality in United's defence is eminent which needs to be addressed in January.
Both the central defenders would be up against the two of the best players in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala. It would be a massive task to not only contain them but also stop them from scoring. Dybala scored the winner last time out and the rich vein of form he is in, it won't be surprising to see him score again.
Ronaldo looked a bit patchy at Old Trafford, but a player of his calibre could turn up in any game and win it. This battle would be interesting to watch, and if United's defence performs the way they did in the first thirty minutes against Bournemouth at the weekend, the game could be over before it even starts.
