Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims the club need to invest more money if they want to match the quality of Juventus following Tuesday’s defeat.

The sides met at Old Trafford in the Champions League, with Cristiano Ronaldo making a return to his former stomping ground.

Juventus moved five points clear at the top of Group H thanks to Paulo Dybala’s 17th-minute winner. The Italian champions had several chances to extend their lead but failed to convert any of their nine other shots.

Mourinho insists Juve’s ability to re-sign Leonardo Bonucci and bring in Ronaldo proves how far in front of United they are.

“They had [Gonzalo] Higuain, [Mario] Mandzukic, [Paulo] Dybala but they want more. They want Ronaldo. They had [Andrea] Barzagli, [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Daniele] Rugani, they are not happy, they want more,” he said.

“They want Bonucci and they go for the best players in the world. So, big club with a big past but with also a big desire to have a big future. To go to the Juventus level?

Barcelona level? Real Madrid level? How can you reach that level? Manchester City level? How can you reach this level? “Yes [by buying the best players], but it is not also easy because many of the players they belong to these top teams.

So we work with what we have, we try to improve with what we have. I don’t think we gave them too much respect. Juventus was in a different level of quality, stability, experience and know-how.”

Mourinho will be hoping for a response on Sunday when his side take on Everton in the Premier League.

The Red Devils are 1.70 to win, with the draw 3.80, while Everton are 5.00 outsiders.