Manchester United 2-1 Juventus: 5 Talking Points & Analysis

#1 Old Vintage Jose still runs the show at Turin

Bossman

The Portuguese boss has been known to structure matches on his own and to be aware of what’s going to happen during the course of the game already. He prepares his team accordingly for certain specific situations in such hugely important matches.

Against Allegri’s team, his game-management was of the highest order. United weren’t asked to defend completely but they were well-trained to do so when required whilst avoiding any hiccups. The wingers dropped deep to collect the ball and the midfielders provided a good supply line for the wide men.

The most important aspect of approaching such matches for Jose is to maintain a clean sheet. For that, the team collectively needs to respond to the gaffer and defend solidly to close down the midfield spaces and recover the possession. Even Martial, who otherwise isn’t renowned for his defensive work-rate was right up for the task as he offered good cover for Luke Shaw and tracked back diligently to the manager’s delight.

The motive was to take the game as deep as possible and then use the substitutes to change the approach and thus take more shots on the goal. Ronaldo’s goal shook things up a bit but United were assured in possession even after that and it was the timely substitutes who changed the game for the manager.

As it was important for the visitors to take a point from the game, they undertook a more direct attacking outlook in the second half by putting Marouane Fellaini into the box and using the creative nous of Juan Mata. Martial and Pogba teed up brilliantly near the box and a foul on Pogba resulted in a free kick from a close, tricky position.

However, Mata, as he had regularly done before, lobbed the ball precisely over the wall and into the net with an incision that boasted of class and finesse. Though Mourinho said that the Spaniard was brought in for providing crosses to Fellaini, one could not ignore his free-kick taking abilities and creativity in the final third either.

As United drew level through Mata, they were more dominant in attack and earned another foul at the edge of the touchline on the left flank. Ashley Young put in an excellent delivery for Fellaini who engaged three players including Chiellini and thus leaving space for Smalling and Pogba to guide the ball inside the box.

Wojciech Szczesny has been prone to panicking during set-pieces and a mishap inside the box resulted in Sandro eventually having the final touch before the ball rolled into the net. It was a remarkable turnaround catalyzed by Mourinho’s ability to take the game deeper into the ninety minutes and using his players to perfection in the final 20 minutes to turn the tables in their favour.

He was incessantly abused throughout the course of the game by the crowd and Mourinho rightfully gave it back to them by making a gesture to the Juventus fans to speak more about him.

Although Bonucci and Dybala did not take kindly to this, it hardly mattered to the Manchester United boss who had scripted one of the most glorified European nights in the club’s history. This cockiness of Mourinho is what brings out the best from him and his team and the results of the same was visible eventually.

Jose Mourinho has got the Juventus fans and players rattled at full time! 😬🤬 He's enjoyed that one A LOT! 🤫 pic.twitter.com/Gcmuyd3sDo

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 7, 2018

Don't write them off, mate!