SOOCER/UEFA Champions League: Manchester United ... 2 Juventus ... 1: Manchester United were wary about the beating of a weakened Juventus and their second goal, when Ruud van Nistelrooy volleyed home a Beckham cross, did not come until the 84th minute.
They had thus made virtually certain of a quarter-final place, but the riposte by Pavel Nedved, whose cross crept into the net in stoppage time, was indicative of an enigmatic affair.
There is no advantage in being an unknown quantity when your own manager is among the most puzzled.
Whole departments of the Juventus squad were off work after an outbreak of flu and injury problems beset the club all the way to the kick-off, with the name of the captain Antonio Conte hastily removed from the line-up at the last moment. Manager Marcello Lippi still had good players, but the blend was not really of his choosing.
It must have been rather more to Alex Ferguson's taste when the Juventus defence conceded an elementary goal in the fourth minute. Lilian Thuram, Mark Iuliano, and Igor Tudor might all have made a difference at the David Beckham corner-kick, but they were unavailable for the back four and an unmarked Wes Brown put a decisive downward header into the corner of the net.
Antonio Chimenti's debut in goal had coincided with the centre back's first goal for United on his 95th appearance.
The statistics presented Juventus as a study in vulnerability, but UEFA were gradually vindicated in their decision to reject the plea for a postponement. Although Lippi's line-up occasionally appeared ill-assorted, the midfield was still infused with ability.
That factor nudged United towards the circumspect manner they regularly adopt in European competition. In one of the more subtle developments, the team has learned to distance itself, when necessary, from the club's outgoing traditions. These players can be reserved on occasion and a remarkable record in reaching the closing stages of this tournament is their reward.
They had to live with tension here and Paul Scholes was overwrought. Booked already, further offences such as the impeding of Chimenti as he prepared to kick downfield courted a second yellow card before the interval, but referee Kim Milton Nielsen was not at his most pedantic.
Still, Ferguson might have used the half-time period to give his midfielder a sermon on restraint, assuming he still feels qualified to preach on that theme.
Their sense of safety was accentuated when Juventus, switching the ball around midfield to the admiration of their supporters, could not often lend support to David Trezeguet, the sole striker. None the less, the visitors were capable of passing their way towards the goalmouth. Penalty appeals by Montero and Nedved were reminders that a fractional misjudgment could restructure the whole evening.
Ferguson had talked beforehand about the name of Juventus and the weight it carried, no matter the make-up of the team selection. Lippi's side had that ingrained sense of their own heritage. They have an eye to the future as well, seeing themselves as the side who can take the Champions League for the third time in their history and so restore the prominence of Italian football.
Their level of conviction was on the rise and it was symptomatic that Silvestre should collect the injury that forced his substitution while United were trying to repel a foray into the left side of the penalty area. The gap between midfield and attack was narrowing, with Zalayet gradually getting himself into more menacing positions.
United could not benefit from the piece of good fortune that should have helped put them beyond Juventus's reach. Montero was short with a header towards his goalkeeper in the 61st minute and so put in van Nistelrooy. Chimenti seemed to bring down the Dutchman, but the referee let play continue, perhaps certain Scholes would slot home the loose ball.
If that was indeed Mr Nilesen's belief, he must have been otherwise engaged when United's match with Arsenal was being broadcast at the weekend. Ryan Giggs could not take advantage of an open goal then and, last night, the only marginal improvement lay in the fact that Scholes at least hit the post. United's display did have its merits, but they were not of the type to send Old Trafford into raptures.
Guardian service
MAN UTD: Barthez, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (O'Shea 52), Beckham, Keane, Butt, Giggs (Forlan 90), Scholes (Solskjaer 80), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Phil Neville, Pugh, Fletcher. Booked: Scholes, Keane. Goals: Brown 3, van Nistelrooy 85.
JUVENTUS: Chimenti, Pessotto, Montero, Ferrara, Zenoni, Nedved, Davids, Tacchinardi, Camoranesi, Trezeguet (Olivera 65), Zalayeta. Subs Not Used: Bonnefoi, Fresi, Paro, Gastaldello. Booked: Davids, Tacchinardi. Goals: Nedved 90.
Referee: K Nielson (Denmark).
