MANCHESTER UNITED v JUVENTUS
Former United favourite CRISTIANO RONALDO returns to Old Trafford
LIVE FOOTBALL
Tuesday, BT Sport 2 HD, kick-off 8pm
OLD TRAFFORD WILL be rocking on Tuesday evening when Cristiano Ronaldo returns to his old stomping ground – this time, playing for Juventus.
The Portuguese star spent six years at United before his £80million move to Real Madrid in 2009, winning the Champions League four times during his time at the Bernabéu.
In July, Juventus paid £99million to secure his services, as coach Massimiliano Allegri seeks to win the club’s first Champions
League since 1996.
The Turin side have dominated Italian football in recent years, winning four consecutive doubles between 2015 and 2018, but they are obsessed with becoming
European champions.
Juve have lost two
Champions League finals in the last four years, including a
4-1 defeat to Real in 2017 when Ronaldo scored twice.
Despite turning 33 in February, Ronaldo still seems to have plenty in the locker. Last season, he was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals, taking his record-breaking career tally to 120 in the competition.
TOPPING THE GROUP
There had been doubt over whether Ronaldo would be able to face United after he was sent off in Juve’s Group H game against Valencia. But a disciplinary panel decided his onematch ban was sufficient punishment, so he is expected to be back in action. His appearance also comes in the wake of rape allegations, which he strongly denies.
United currently sit second in Group H behind Juve. Victory on Tuesday would see the
Red Devils lead the table – but, then again, Ronaldo might have something to say about that.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs are also in Champions League action. For fixtures, see page 31.