Why Old Trafford should be bouncing as Manchester United take on Juventus

Aditya Devavrat 15:08 22/10/2018
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  • Manchester United played well before conceding a late equaliser at Chelsea last weekend.

    After their dramatic 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Saturday, Manchester United immediately face their next big game, as Juventus are in town for a marquee Champions League clash.

    United are slowly recovering from a poor start to the season, but Juventus will provide a stiff challenge to Jose Mourinho‘s side – not to mention, an emotional return for former club hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Here’s a look at the talking points ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.

    UNITED’S FRAGILE CONFIDENCE FACES LATEST TEST

    How much has their late concession against Chelsea affected the mood at Old Trafford? United’s second-half performance on Saturday should have filled the side with optimism, but nothing could have topped actually winning at Stamford Bridge.

    Midfielder Andreas Pereira sounded a warning to Juventus regardless, saying that the team was pumped, and they do have every reason to be, even after failing to secure what for around 20 minutes looked like a nailed-on win.

    Juventus dropped points for the first time this season on Saturday, though it’s unlikely that their draw against Genoa would have dented their confidence.

    But United may be in the perfect position to test if it has. On the back of two spirit-lifting results, Old Trafford should be bouncing. The last time they saw their team play was the dramatic comeback win over Newcastle, from 2-0 down, and the fans who saw the second-half performance at Chelsea will have been encouraged by the display.

    Their famous stadium has often been derided for its lack of atmosphere, but on a classic big European night, that shouldn’t be a concern. And as they’ve displayed on occasion, there is quality in this United side. Are they confident enough to show it?

    How much confidence have United gained from their draw against Chelsea?

    How much confidence have United gained from their draw against Chelsea?

    JUVENTUS HAVE CHANCE TO LAY DOWN A MARKER

    Juventus haven’t played a game of this stature since last season’s Champions League exit against Real Madrid. There have been memorable domestic encounters with Napoli – including a 3-1 win a month ago – but there remains a sense that Serie A encounters, whatever significance they may have on the title race, are now largely humdrum affairs for a side that has won the league seven years running.

    They haven’t faced United since 2003, a Round of 16 tie which saw the English club win 2-1 at home and 3-0 away to cruise into the quarter-finals. The latter result is unlikely to be repeated, but Juve will need to be at their sharpest to avoid what, in present circumstances, would be considered a surprise loss.

    Perhaps both sides would be content with a draw, and a repeat a couple weeks later in Turin, preferring to leave their qualification hopes to their results against Valencia and Young Boys.

    But there’s also an opportunity to lay down a marker to Europe’s biggest clubs, one that will matter much to Jose Mourinho and United but perhaps, in a season where the Champions League is the clear priority, is even more significant for Juventus.

    Juventus have a chance to make a statement on Tuesday.

    Juventus have a chance to make a statement on Tuesday.

    RONALDO RECEPTION BRINGS CAUSE FOR DEBATE

    When the draw was made for the group stage, the talking point for this group was Ronaldo’s return to his old club, having only been back to Old Trafford as an opposing player once since leaving United in 2009.

    That particular talking point got a jolt of drama when Ronaldo was sent off in Juventus’ group stage opener against Valencia, putting his participation in this fixture in doubt, before UEFA opted to leave his ban at just the one game.

    So the much-awaited reunion is still on. United fans will know exactly what Ronaldo can do, given his exploits for the club and then his two goals in that 2013 Round of 16 tie for Real Madrid, one at Old Trafford, and yet despite the threat he provides he will be given a resounding cheer.

    In an age where former players are booed almost without fail when returning to old stomping grounds, the fact that United fans don’t hold Ronaldo’s then world-record move to Madrid against him, despite his public flirtations for over a year before moving, is something that should be hailed.

    But it will also be incongruous to see the reception Ronaldo gets, considering the storm surrounding him at the moment. Guilty or not, a player accused of rape walking out to thunderous applause shouldn’t seem natural.

    Ronaldo is at the centre of a controversy at the moment.

    Ronaldo is at the centre of a controversy at the moment.

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