In a packed night of Champions League action, Cristiano Ronaldo overcame his former club, Manchester City kept scoring goals, and Real Madrid broke their winless streak.
Although United lost to Juventus, they were given a boost when Valencia were held to a draw by Young Boys. Plus, Benfica fans looked on in horror as Ajax scored a winner at the death.
However, there was plenty that went on behind the scenes, so here, Sportsmail has compiled seven things you might have missed.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a successful return to Old Trafford as Juventus beat Manchester United
Michy Batshuayi celebrates like he’s Conor McGregor
On Alvaro Morata’s birthday it was Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi who opened the Champions League scoring on Tuesday night. The Belgian showed his parent club what they were missing as he continued to battle his way through Young Boys’ box until he got the goal he was looking for. Known for his flare on and off the pitch, Batshuayi opted to show some swagger adopting Conor McGregor’s signature strut to celebrate his goal.
The forward has now scored 10 goals in the league and across European competition whilst out on loan from Chelsea. One more than he managed while residing in West London. It also means he’s now scored eleven more goals than Alvaro Morata since the start of last season. Feliz cumpleaños Alvaro.
Valencia’s Michy Batshuayi struts his stuff while celebrating his goal against Young Boys
Paul Pogba: A centurion of sorts
Cristiano Ronaldo was not the only man facing his former side at Old Trafford tonight. In all the diamond encrusted excitement, it has largely been overlooked that Paul Pogba also came up against his old club. Since leaving Juventus, the Frenchman has racked up 100 appearances for Manchester United.
Unfortunately for the World Cup winner, his performance did not live up to one worthy of a landmark appearance. He did manage to come closer than any of his teammates to finding the back of the net. Late in the second half he took his chances from just outside the box and was unfortunate that Szczesny reached his shot after it took an unfavourable deflection off the inside of the post.
Karim Benzema surpasses Manchester United Legend
It didn’t take long for Karim Benzema to get things going at the Bernabeu tonight. It took just 11 minutes for the Frenchman to open the scoring. An incredible feat considering Real Madrid have been short on goals as of late. He is now the fourth top scorer in Champions League with 57 goals, surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy. He will need another 14 in the competition to catch former Real Madrid icon Raul — or another 63 to go top with former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Karim Benzema’s headed effort means that he has now scored in each of the last fourteen Champions League seasons. He is only the third player to do so, following Lionel Messi and Raul.
Manchester United pitch invader
With all the hysteria surrounding the return of the prodigal son it’s not surprising that it took just minutes into Manchester United’s clash with Juventus for a chancer to dash on the pitch for a chance to get close to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The pitch invader sprinted towards Ronaldo only to find himself under a number of stewards just a few feet away from his hero. Cristiano Ronaldo rewarded him with a high five of sorts as he was pinned down and unceremoniously dragged off the pitch. The man facing a lifetime ban from Old Trafford did manage to get a laugh from Jose Mourinho which really should be rewarded from the powers that be at Manchester United.
He wasn’t the only one who wanted to get close to the Portuguese superstar. Another pitch invader – a fully grown man dressed head to toe in Man United gear – took a run at Cristiano Ronaldo. Stewards were quick to deal with him, but not before Cristiano Ronaldo snapped a selfie with the trespasser.
Mourinho breaks out his three fingered salute again
It’s not been a banner year for Jose Mourinho. While his Manchester United side struggle with mid table obscurity he finds himself at the centre of enough derision he’s devised a series of hand gestures to get his message across and avoid some of the pesky fines that he’s racked up. Earlier this season he was throwing up a pinky at cameras in a message directed presumably at Paul Scholes following outspoken criticisms of team performances.
On Saturday the Man United boss felt compelled to remind his former supporters at Chelsea he had won them three Premier League titles. He defiantly held three fingers aloft in response to some pointed chanting in his direction following a touchline skirmish with a Chelsea coach.
On Tuesday night at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho once again held three fingers up to opposition support as they used some colourful language to describe the man himself. Presumably the Bianconeri’s travelling support aren’t particularly bothered he won Premier League titles with Chelsea. And it was a reminder that in his short time as Inter boss he won a real treble — a feat which Juventus have never achieved.
Mourinho was asked about the gesture after the match saying it was an ‘obvious’ response. ‘The toughest moment for them was our [Inter Milan] treble. With players, coaches, club and everything, we have total respect, everything is very cordial.’
Paul Scholes the consummate professional
It’s safe to say Paul Scholes did not enjoy Manchester United’s first half performance against Juventus on Tuesday night. Going so far as to say that he was ‘a little bit embarrassed’ watching his former side as they were outclassed by a dominant display from the Serie A champions.
As BT cameras cut to the studio for Scholes to share his thoughts on the opening 45 minutes along with Rio Ferdinand as Owen Hargreaves the former midfielder was caught unprepared. As Gary Lineker introduced the former United stars to discuss the match, Scholes could not take his eyes off his phone.
And who could blame him? When you get to that certain stage in Candy Crush you just can’t put your phone down.
Paul Scholes caught on his phone as the Manchester United vs Juventus live show continued
Manchester United fans with very different reactions to Dybala’s opener
It took less than 20 minutes for Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala to combine for Juventus’ only goal at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. Obviously no one is happy when their team concedes, especially at home. And disappointment quickly swept through the stands. However, there were a few fans in the home stands who really took the Argentinian’s goal personally.
Reportedly there was a fight amongst United fans near the press box. Stewards got involved. As some supporters were being escorted out, the fights continued. The absence of Marouane Fellaini has cut some deep. However, the most interesting Manchester United supporter was the one who was so swept up in the excitement of the goal that he wanted to get involved and copy Paulo Dybala’s celebration. Fair play to him, he was the only United supporter there tonight who got to celebrate something.