Champions League: Man Utd vs. Juventus team news, possible starting XIs, TV channel
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford to face his former club
Manchester United vs. Juventus
- What: Champions League group H matchday three
- When: Tuesday 23 October
- Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Kick-off: 8pm (UK time)
- TV channel: live on BT Sport 2
All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo tonight as the Juventus striker takes on his former club Manchester United in the Champions League at Old Trafford.
The Portugal captain played six seasons for United during which he won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Fifa Club World Cup. After leaving the Red Devils for Real Madrid in 2009 he spent ten years in Spain and added four more Champions League winners’ medals.
Now at Juventus following his £99m summer switch from Real, Ronaldo will be looking to win a sixth Champions League title with the Italian giants. After two games Juve top group H with six points while United are in second with four.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s clash, Ronaldo is confident that Juve can get a good result at Old Trafford but said they must respect Jose Mourinho’s men.
“They are a good team, they play at home,” said the 33-year-old. “We have our weapons. We are Juve. I think we have a chance. I think if we play the way the coach wants we have a chance to win the game. We have to respect Manchester United.”
Ronaldo also praised former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for the impact the Scot had on his career. “It is special for me to return to Manchester,” he added. “Here I have many memories of victories and affection and in particular with Sir Alex Ferguson, to whom I send a big hug. He is a person who helped me so much.”
Team news and starting XIs
United boss Mourinho confirmed yesterday that Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez will not feature against Juventus tonight. The Manchester Evening News reports that academy prospect Tahith Chong, 18, has been included in the squad.
Antonio Valencia may be an option to return in defence but there are injury doubts over Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay.
The BBC reports that Juventus are without Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic and midfielders Emre Can and Sami Khedira.
Possible starting XIs and formations
How the two teams could line up tonight at Old Trafford, according to Goal.com:
- Man Utd (4-3-3): De Gea; Lindelof, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw; Pogba, Matic, Fred; Rashford, Mata, Lukaku
- Juventus (4-3-3): Szczesny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Pjanic, Matuidi, Bentancur; Dybala, Costa, Ronaldo
Champions League fixtures and TV guide
Tuesday 23 October (all times UK)
- Group E: AEK Athens vs. Bayern Munich (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1); Ajax vs. Benfica (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2)
- Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester City (8pm, live on BT Sport 3); Hoffenheim vs. Lyon (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4)
- Group G: Real Madrid vs. Viktoria Plzen (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN); Roma vs. CSKA Moscow (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
- Group H: Young Boys vs. Valencia (5.55pm, live on BT Sport ESPN); Manchester United vs. Juventus (8pm, live on BT Sport 2)
Wednesday 24 October
- Group A: Club Brugge vs. Monaco (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1); Borussia Dortmund vs. Atletico Madrid (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2)
- Group B: PSV Eindhoven vs. Tottenham (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 3); Barcelona vs. Inter Milan (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
- Group C: Liverpool vs. Red Star Belgrade (8pm, live on BT Sport 2); Paris Saint-Germain vs. Napoli (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
- Group D: Galatasaray vs. Schalke (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4); Lokomotiv Moscow vs. Porto (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published