UEFA Champions League: Can Mourinho's men stop The Old Lady?
The Champions League is back tonight and the highlight of today's action would be Manchester United hosting Juventus at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo will be back to where his journey of football immortality began, and fans can't wait to see him in action. The two teams are going through contrasting fortunes in their leagues, with Juventus unbeaten and United struggling. Here's our match preview.
Some interesting facts to gear you up for the match
This will be the first time the two teams will meet since their group stage draw in the 2002-03 season. Notably, United won both of those encounters (2-1, 3-0). United have locked horns with Juventus 12 times (W5, D2, L5) in total, more than any other non-English club. Out of their last 23 group stage matches in the UCL, Juventus have lost only two.
Team news from the corner of Red Devils
Alexis Sanchez is confirmed to not take part in the match after reports of an injury surfaced. Marcus Rojo, Marouane Fellaini, Scot McTominay, and Jesse Lingard are doubtful too since none of them appeared for training. Paul Pogba will be facing Juventus for the first time since he returned to United. Mourinho is likely to use his 4-3-2-1 formation with Lukaku as the striker.
How are the Bianconeri looking?
Ronaldo is back into the fold after his three-match ban was reduced to one by UEFA. However, Sami Khedira, Mario Mandzukic, and Emre Can might be out action tonight. But Dybala is expected to return after suffering a knee injury during Argentina's 0-1 loss to Brazil. Massimiliano Allegri might use a 4-3-3 formation with Ronaldo, Dybala, and Cuadrado leading the attack.
Predicted line-up and TV listing
Manchester United: David de Gea, Young, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Rashford, Mata, Martial, Lukaku. Juventus: Szczesny, Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro, Pjanic, Bentancur, Matuidi, Dybala, Ronaldo, Cuadrado. The match starts at 12:30 AM and can be watched on Sony Ten 1 or Ten HD, and also on the Sony LIV website or mobile application.
