Manchester United 0-1 Juventus: Chiellini & Bonucci's Harvard University class

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio ChielliniGetty Images

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini showing Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba how to defend

Were Manchester United given a lesson in how to defend by Juventus at Old Trafford?

Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho thinks so after his side's 1-0 defeat by the Italians in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, they could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a central defender," he said.

"Quality in football is everywhere. When I say quality I don't just say creative players - Chiellini and Bonucci, it is absolutely beautiful to see."

So were Chiellini and Bonucci really the professors and United the students? Here are the numbers from their educated performance:

  • Mourinho is referring to two centre-backs with a combined age of 65 (Chiellini is 34 and Bonucci is 31). That's only two years younger than Manchester United's front-three of Marcus Rashford (20) Romelu Lukaku (25) and Anthonoy Martial (22).

  • United's front three only managed ONE shot on target between them in the whole game.

  • Manchester United attempted just six shots, their fewest in a home Champions League game since April 2014 against Bayern Munich (also six).

  • Chiellini won 100% of his tackles and made seven clearances, the most of anyone on the pitch.