'Bonucci and Chiellini could teach defending'

Jose Mourinho declared that Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and centre-back partner Giorgio Chiellini could lecture at Harvard University on how to defend.

“Juventus had control in the first half and defended in the second, adding an extra central defender to add to the amazing Bonucci and Chiellini,” he said after the game.

“Mr Bonucci and Mr Chiellini could teach lessons at Harvard University about how to be a central defender. They have talent everywhere, all over the pitch, so it was a difficult match for us.

Yet, for all his praise, not for the first time with Mourinho this season, it was a self-serving message, pointing out he wasn't given the funds he wanted for a central defender this summer.

However, Mourinho can hardly plead poverty. In just over two years at Old Trafford he has been backed with nearly £400 million ($520 million) in transfer fees for precious little sign of progress.

One of his first signings was to take one of Juventus' best players in Paul Pogba for a then world record fee.

Moreover, their £296 million wage bill dwarfs that of Juventus by over £100 million, despite Cristiano Ronaldo earning three times more than any other player in Serie A. It is not the case that United don't spend money, the fact is under Mourinho they are not getting value for it, unlike the Italian champions.