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The biggest clash of this round of Champions League fixtures is less than 24 hours away, and all attention around the world would turn to Manchester for a fixture between two heavyweights as United hosts Juventus in a match with epic proportions.
Both teams were tipped to make it out of the group, and two matches in, that forecast still looks on track hence the duo would seek to consolidate top spot with victory in this match.
Despite the presence of many sub-plots and superstars, the undoubted headline news is the return of Ronaldo to the Stadium where he called home for six years and morphed into a genuine world beater.
Cristiano is a bonafide Red Devil, and despite leaving the club almost a decade ago, he still holds a special spot in the heart of United faithful for his immense contributions to Manchester United's illustrious history.
Ronaldo is one the greatest goalscorers in the history of the game, therefore Juventus hopes for UCL glory rests mostly on his more than capable shoulders, as his goalscoring record in this competition is second to none.
Manchester United fans would be wary of the threat their former superstar, having first-hand experience of his goalscoring exploits with the Real Madrid record scorer scoring 118 goals across his six years at Old Trafford.
Here are 3 reasons why Ronaldo would open his UCL goalscoring account for Juventus at Old Trafford:
#3 He scored on his previous visit here
After playing his way into United history for six years, the Portuguese departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid in a then world record transfer in 2009.
It, therefore, seemed like destiny when Ronaldo returned with the Spanish giants to his former club in the Champions League of 2013, and the rapturous and heartwarming reception he got showed the high regard United fans still hold him in.
Real Madrid came into the fixture with a 1-0 first-leg lead, and after going behind through a Sergio Ramos own goal, Los Blancos rallied back to equalize through Luka Modric in the 66th minute before Ronaldo put the nail in the coffin for United by rising highest to nod home and send Real through to the quarter-final, eliminating The Red Devils in the round of 16 in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge.
An emotional Ronaldo showed the highest form of respect possible by refusing to celebrate his goal, with his countenance almost being that he was sorry to have eliminated his former side.
Five years later, a more matured Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford once more but this time with Juventus, and even though he is bound to still receive an endearing welcome, he would be eager to get off the mark with the second goal against United at Old Trafford.
#2 The Mourinho factor
Ronaldo was coached by his compatriot for three seasons at Real Madrid, and despite getting on well initially, the pair had a major fall-out towards the end of Mourinho's tenure at Real Madrid, with thi
Mourinho had several clashes with Ronaldo, saying that the former Real Madrid number 7 did not take criticism too well, and also found fault with his vanity believing Ronaldo spent too much time in front of the mirror checking his appearance prior to matches.
Things got progressively worse to the extent that Mourinho did not speak directly with Ronaldo, instead of communicating messages to him through his assistant Rui Faria, leading Jorge Mendez who acts as the agent to the pair had to reportedly enter the fray and ask them to sort out their differences.
His efforts were however in vain, as Mourinho departed Real Madrid on bad terms with Ronaldo, taking a parting shot by stating that he only knew of one Ronaldo - the 'real Brazilian Ronaldo' when quizzed about the circumstance as Chelsea boss.
There is also another angle to the story, as before their time together at Real Madrid, Ronaldo clashed on so many occasions in the Premier League, Champions League, and Portuguese Super League.
Ronaldo's goalscoring stats throughout his career means he has been the bane of multiple coaches who have spent endless hours plotting to stop him to no avail.
However, incredibly Mourinho seems to have the antidote to Ronaldo's potency. In 14 matches against teams managed by Mourinho, Ronaldo has scored a paltry one goal, which is undoubtedly a miserable return for a player of his abilities.
The animosity between him and Mourinho and determination to improve his record against his compatriot are factors which could see Ronaldo get on the scoresheet against United at Old Trafford
#1 He would be determined to get off the mark for Juventus
Ronaldo has set personal milestones almost on a weekly basis everywhere he has gone, but in the Champions League he seems to step up his otherworldly abilities to deliver superhuman performances on the grandest stage of European club football.
His well documented numbers are staggering. He is the tournaments record goalscorer, as well as the only player to have scored 15 goals in a single campaign (which he has done on three separate occasions).
Incredibly, the five time Ballon d'Or winner has finished as the UCL top scorer in each of the last six seasons (jointly with Messi and Neymar in 2015), and it is for his performances here that Juventus splashed the cash to get him in the summer.
Ronaldo has started life well in the Serie A, scoring five goals in his opening nine matches, he is yet to get off the mark in the one tournament which really matter to the Bianconnerri faithful.
His Champions League bow for Juventus got off to the worst start possible as he was shown his marching orders for the first time in his UCL career against Valencia, and the distraught on his face could be seen.
Thankfully, his suspension was reduced to just one match, and Ronaldo would get a perfect opportunity to open his Champions League account for Juventus against Manchester United.
Ronaldo is arguably the most dedicated footballer in the history of the sport, not relenting in his efforts until his goals are chieved, and despite the fact that there have been occasions in the past when his individualism got the better of him, his drive to achieve greatness more often than not sees him through, and this would come to the fore in his quest to break his duck in the Champions League for Juventus.
