Pre-Season Friendly: Man. United 0 Juventus 0

Rafael da Silva played 45 minutes at Old Trafford, but neither United nor Juventus could find the net in the Reds’ final pre-season friendly.

After a storming performance against Peterborough on Monday night, the Brazilian teenager impressed again at right back… and this time against world-class opposition. Countryman Rodrigo Possebon also got 21 minutes under his belt in the 0-0 draw and did enough to suggest he can play a part in United’s Double defence this season.

In the Reds’ final run-out before Sunday’s Community Shield, Sir Alex fielded a strong side. In fact, of the starting XI, only Lee Martin played less than 24 times last term.

The winger had a claim for a penalty turned down by referee Mark Halsey in the third minute before John O’Shea’s goalbound effort was blocked two minutes later. Darren Fletcher blazed over shortly afterwards under pressure from Juventus shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon, while Carlos Tevez also had an early shot blocked.

And yet United almost fell behind on 20 minutes when Mauro Camaronesi played in Alessandro Del Piero. The Juventus captain cut inside onto his left foot and his shot looked destined to find its mark until O’Shea intervened with a desperate, sliding lunge.

After such a lively beginning, the tempo slowed as both sides looked to consolidate possession. Fletcher had a header on target just before the interval, but United had to settle for 0-0 at half-time, despite dominating proceedings early on.

Rafael Da Silva came on at the start of the second half and made an immediate impression, crossing for Paul Scholes, who headed into the ground and over the bar from close range. It turned out to be the best chance of the match.

Just as Rafael did against Darren Ferguson’s side at London Road, he showed composure on the ball and a strong desire to get forward down the right flank. In fact, he had a hand in many of United's most threatening moves of the second period.

Edwin van der Sar was a spectator for most of the night, although was called on to save from former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko on 66 minutes.

That was shortly after Mikael Silvestre had entered the fray and given license to Patrice Evra to push further forward. However, not even Evra could engineer the necessary magic to break down a stubborn Juventus defence and earn the Reds a win.

Attendance: 69,872

United: Van der Sar; Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic (Evans 78), Brown (R da Silva 46); Darren Fletcher (Gibson 46), Paul Scholes, John O’Shea (Possebon 69), Lee Martin (Silvestre 65); Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez (Campbell 69)

Subs not used: Kuszczak, F da Silva

Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Cheillini; Camoranesi (Marchionni 61), Poulsen (Tiago 89), Sissoko (Ekdal 82), Salihamidzic (Rossi 74); Iaquinta (De Oliveira 46), Del Piero (Trezeguet 71)

Subs not used: Nocchi, Chimenti, Ariaudo, Pasquato, Esposito