United 0 - 1 Juventus

DDG, Lindelof and Pogba were our best players today

This felt like a proper Champions League night, didn't it? Last time we met the Old Lady, in 2003, Juventus FC were in trouble and we were miles ahead of them. The tables have turned now, Juventus are class and we barely troubled them with the exception of the final 20 minutes or so. We have to remember that we were playing at Old Trafford, yet there were times when Juve had 65% of the possession. I get really annoyed when United drop points against average Premier League sides but this Juve side is not average, they're probably one of the top three sides in Europe, so I'll try to complain a little less today. 

I do expect more, much more, from the likes of Lukaku and Rashford. Mata was ineffective too and Martial was too quiet. I haven't seen a good Lukaku performance (for United) in ages! Perhaps it's time to drop him and let either Marcus or Anthony try their luck up front? I don't know, but we won't be winning games with a out-of-form striker. I know that a lot of people notice his good movement, but I want a striker who bags goals week in week out. We don't have that in Lukaku. 

I thought our best player today was Lindelof. He was excellent and read the game very well. He's looked out of his depth when he played this season so maybe, just maybe, today's performance can spur him on. But there isn't a United player out there (ok, perhaps Shaw) who's been consistently good this season so I wouldn't be surprised if Lindelof plays vs. Everton this weekend and has a nightmare. 

David deserves a special mention for two stunning saves. He's been made to look ordinary this season, but today was a reminder that this guy's still the best out there. 

It was also very strange to see no subs from Mourinho. It's not like our players were having an excellent game and didn't need changing. Why not give Pereira and Fred a run out and see what they can do against world class opposition? 

Overall I am disappointed we had to wait until the final twenty minutes to trouble Juve. But looking at the two sets of players today, you can't help but notice how far away we are from being genuine Champions League contenders like Juve are. There's so much work to do. I just don't think that we have the right manager and executives to get us there. Oh well. Everton next.