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
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.
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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)
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