Paulo Dybala’s lone goal at 17 minutes was all Juventus needed to earn three points Tuesday against Manchester United in Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated return to Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba had the hosts’ best chance to salvage a draw but his 75th-minute strike from outside the box careened off the inside of the post before bouncing off Wojciech Szczesny’s face and out for a throw-in.

Dybala featured alongside Ronaldo and Juan Cuadrado in Juventus’ front-three. He opened the scoring after his run into United’s penalty area was left unchecked, allowing him to comfortably bury his effort past David De Gea following a redirected Ronaldo cross.

The goal was Dybala’s fourth in the competition after the Argentine attacker netted a hat-trick against Swiss outfit Young Boys on Matchday 2.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, was making his return to his old stomping grounds for just the second time since leaving the Red Devils for Real Madrid in 2009. The Portuguese superstar nearly had a goal of his own in the second half, though he was thwarted by a stellar diving stop by De Gea.

Juventus commanded the first half, striking four attempts on target compared to United’s one while retaining 70 percent possession. Jose Mourinho’s side fared much better in the latter 45 minutes, but couldn’t find an equalizer despite taking five shots.

The victory leaves the Bianconeri far and away the top side in Group H with nine points – five above United who remain in second. Valencia (two points) and Young Boys (one point) sit third and fourth, respectively, following their 1-1 draw.

In his last visit to Old Trafford in 2013, Ronaldo scored the winning goal in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over United in the round of 16, helping Los Blancos progress 3-2 on aggregate and knocking the Red Devils out of the Champions League. Madrid were then eliminated by eventual runners-up Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on aggregate in the semifinals.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct, according to The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace.

Mourinho could face repercussions for allegedly using “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language at the end of a Premier League victory over Newcastle United earlier this month.

Based on Mourinho’s decision, the charge will now be reviewed by an independent regulatory commission. Should it be upheld, the manager would likely face a touchline ban. United next face Everton at home on Sunday before a trip to the south coast to play Bournemouth on the first weekend of November.

Meanwhile, in a separate UEFA ruling, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against United in response to the pitch invasions during the club’s Champions League defeat to Juventus at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

However, Mourinho avoided a second FA charge this week, as it was decided there would be no penalty for his heated reaction to Chelsea coach Marco Ianni’s goading celebration at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

Usain Bolt’s time with the Central Coast Mariners is being met with public criticism as Andy Keogh, a forward with A-League rivals Perth Glory, questions the Jamaican’s technical ability and says his arrival has been insulting to the rest of the league.

The Irishman described the legendary sprinter as having a first touch “like a trampoline” and doesn’t forecast a future for Bolt in the professional game.

“He’s not going to be able to make it,” Keogh told Off the Ball. “It’s nice to have the attention on the A-League but him playing here, that’s not for me.”

Bolt was offered a contract by the Mariners after playing in two trial matches for the club, and previously turned down a deal with Maltese outfit Valletta FC. Football Federation Australia is also willing to part-finance Bolt’s terms to ensure he joins the country’s elite division.

“He’s shown a bit of potential but it’s a little bit of a kick in the teeth to the professionals that are in the league,” Keogh said.

Bolt is being kept out of Mariners training for the time being so they can focus on their domestic campaign. The Gosford club faces Melbourne City on Saturday and is looking to fare better in the 2018-19 term after finishing bottom of the A-League last season.

No Lionel Messi, no problem for Barcelona.

As the injured Argentine watched from the stands with his fractured right arm in a sling, Rafinha and Jordi Alba struck either side of half-time as the hosts ran out 2-0 winners over Inter at Camp Nou.

Though the Blaugrana were not at their scintillating best without their talisman, they still produced enough to move to within two points of sealing their spot in the Champions League round of 16 with three group games still to play.

Barcelona, perhaps surprisingly, boast a higher Champions League win percentage without Messi than they do with him in the XI, and they looked unflustered in the absence of their biggest star.

Luis Suarez, as he did after Messi’s withdrawal against Sevilla, stepped up to shoulder the burden of leading La Blaugrana from the front.

The Uruguayan created the opening goal, showing tremendous vision to float a delightful ball into the box from deep for Rafinha, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Inter, to volley home a composed finish.

Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic kept his side within one goal and in with a fighting chance as time wore on, but after Philippe Coutinho had hit the bar, Ernesto Valverde’s side made sure to continue their 100 percent record in Europe this season with seven minutes remaining.

Tremendous interplay between Ivan Rakitic – who was excellent in partnership with Arthur in central midfield – Arturo Vidal, and Alba saw the latter surge up the flank from left-back and finish neatly to double the advantage and leave Barca eight points ahead of third place with three matches to play in Group B.

It was an accomplished way to lay down the final preparations for Sunday’s El Clasico bout with Real Madrid, and proved there is joy to be had even in Messi’s absence.