Manchester United 0-1 Juventus: 5 positives for the Red Devils

Manchester United welcomed Juventus to Old Trafford on Saturday ahead of a highly anticipated encounter in the group stages of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League. Both teams were enjoying contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues. Juventus were sitting pretty at the top of Serie A, earning 25 points from the nine games played.

Manchester United were 10th in the Premier League, with 14 points in the same number of games. In the Champions League, Juventus were leading the group with six points, while United were second on four points. Both teams were unbeaten in the Champions League heading into the game. However, the game was also in the news for a different reason.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba were both in contention to face their former clubs, thus making for an emotional encounter. United were unbeaten in their last eight games against Italian opponents and had won their last three encounters against the Old Lady.

Jose Mourinho knew that he needed three points at home to confirm passage into the next round. The Portuguese manager named an unchanged team from the weekend encounter against Chelsea. The presence of sensational teenager Tahith Chong on the bench made matters pretty exciting.

United started on the back foot and went behind in the first half, when Paulo Dybala scored an opportunistic goal as early as the 17th minute. United rallied in the second half, but the equalizer eluded them, and the game ended 1-0. However, even in defeat, United should have a little satisfaction because there were five positives for them in the game, and we discuss those here.

#5 Ashley Young’s performance at right back

Manchester United v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Group H

Over the weekend, Young was entrusted with stopping Eden Hazard. Three days later, he had to confront Cristiano Ronaldo, but to his credit, the Englishman dealt with the challenge well. Ronaldo found no joy on that side and had to switch places regularly to try to influence the game.

Young was strong in the defence and managed to keep Alex Sandro quiet for majority of the game. However, his contribution was not limited to the defence alone. The Englishman was very effective going forward. He regularly found space, sent in good crosses, and showed speed and character uncharacteristic of his age. His dribbling ability also gave Juventus a few headaches.

In the second half, Young was instrumental in the United fight back. He was always available on the right and was tireless throughout the 90 minutes. It was a stellar performance from a very versatile player and he gives Mourinho some relief in the midst of a few niggling injuries in his defence.

#4 Second half performance

Manchester United are slowly coming into a pattern. They jog around in the first half, make a few mistakes and are regularly punished. However, after the break, the Red Devils turn into an entirely different beast. They press, they are resilient and they find higher gears. Against Juventus too, United showed a second half performance that would delight Mourinho.

United took the game to Juventus, ended their dominance on the ball and pinned the Italian side back to their goal. They initiated wave after wave of attack and were a threat from all around the box. They even managed to stay compact at the back. Every player looked energized and displayed a desire that is impressive. Even though they could not find the result they deserved, it is a good omen for the Red Devils.

Mourinho needs to delve deep into his tactics and box of tricks and find a way to ensure that the momentum that is displayed in the second half starts from the very first minute of the game. If he can do that, United will become unstoppable.

#3 Mourinho’s desire to attack

Jose Mourinho seems to have had an epiphany recently. He has rejected all his negative tactics and if the latest signs are to be believed, the Portuguese manager looks like he has embraced the United way.

Against a fearsome Juventus attack, Manchester United were expected to increase the numbers at the back, but Mourinho surprised everyone by keeping the same team that almost secured a win at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.

While United spent majority of the first half with their backs to the wall, it was not the usual bus parking tactics of Mourinho. United tried to catch Juventus on the break in the first half, but could not build on the momentum.

Mourinho must have delivered a fantastic half time talk, because United were off the blocks pretty fast and did not stop attacking. The players dared to try various tricks and flicks, they were not cautious any more. It was a United that everyone loves to watch and this is a great sign.

#2 Victor Lindelof

The Ice-man had a tough time last year, but has looked better this time. He has built some sort of a partnership with Chris Smalling and has been impressive recently. However, against Juventus, Lindelof perhaps had his best game in a Manchester United shirt.

The Swede was strong against Ronaldo and Co. and showed intelligence and positional awareness to keep the lethal Juventus attack at bay. He could not be held culpable for the goal, yet Lindelof, like the rest of his team, did look a little nervous in the first half.

However, in the second half, he dived in to retrieve the ball, threw in tackles, made interceptions and was one of the best players on the pitch. Ronaldo found no joy against him, unable to beat him for pace and the Swede had an answer for every trick the Portuguese had in his bag.

Lindelof put in a Man of the Match shift against Juventus and on the night, looked like an answer to United’s defensive woes. He only has to continue the upward climb.

#1 Paul Pogba

The Frenchman is slowly becoming the heartbeat of Manchester United. Paul Pogba ran the show in the second half. Every time he had the ball, you could feel the anticipation building in the stadium and Pogba did not disappoint. His long passes were exquisitely perfect and his awareness of his team mates was fantastic.

Pogba was all around the pitch in the second half, but it was when he received the ball around the penalty area that he looked the most dangerous.

Because he partnered Matic in a double pivot, Pogba had defensive responsibilities, but with each passing game, the Frenchman is looking increasingly comfortable mixing both the defensive and offensive side of his game. This meant that his nifty foot work allowed him to take the pressure off the United defence as well as surge forward on the counter.

Time and again, Juventus had no answer for his brilliant turn on the ball and smooth close control. He spread the ball, joined the attack and had a header saved. But the highlight of the game was when he brushed aside a challenge outside the box and unleashed a calculated shot off his weaker left foot. The ball hit the upright and bounced off Szczesny’s head out for a corner. Luck eluded Paul Pogba and Manchester United on the night, but the Frenchman gave United fans and football lovers world wide enough reasons to be excited.