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Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus ace looks isolated during training ahead of Man Utd return
CRISTIANO RONALDO cut a lonely figure during Juventus training as the Portuguese star prepares to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday (8pm).
Cristiano Ronaldo looked like an isolated figure during training as his Juventus side geared up for their Champions League clash with Manchester United.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side were put through their paces in Turin on Monday morning before boarding a plane to England for their Group H match at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo has been the focus of much media attention ahead of the game, with the Portuguese star returning to face his former club for just the second time since leaving in 2009.
However, the 33-year-old was not pictured at the centre of his side’s preparations at the Juventus Continassa training center.
Ronaldo was photographed standing on his own at the edge of a huddle of players before joining the back of a line of team-mates taking part in drills.
The star striker also appeared to carry out some solitary sprint training before idly kicking a ball around as the Juve players waited for further instructions.
There was a snap of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner flashing a cheeky grin to team-mate Medhi Benatia, suggesting Ronaldo is in good spirits before the clash with United.
The Juve star left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in 2009 and has only been back for one professional club appearance as Los Blancos knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League in 2013.
The 33-year-old scored the winner during a feisty 2-1 victory which saw Nani red-carded for an aerial challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa and Sir Alex Ferguson refuse media commitments in the aftermath.
Ronaldo’s manager at the time was Jose Mourinho, who will be in the home dugout when the match gets underway tomorrow.
Juve are currently top of their group with six points and two wins from two matches, while Mourinho’s side trail on four points after drawing with Valencia.
The Red Devils boss has a number of injury issues to contend with ahead of the clash with Jesse Lingard and Marcos Rojo doubtful while Alexis Sanchez did not train with the rest of the squad this morning.