Manchester United 2-2 Benfica - Match Report
Manchester United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Benfica at Old Trafford.
Manchester United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Benfica at Old Trafford. Phil Jones put the ball into his own net to give the visitors the lead in the opening minutes, but Dimitar Berbatov equalised for United and Darren Fletcher put them ahead on the hour mark. Pablo Aimar got one back not two minutes later, and that was how it stayed. With FC Basel beating Otelul Galati 3-2, the Red Devils and Benfica are one point ahead of the Swiss side on nine points. Alex Ferguson may not have welcomed this distraction from his so far fruitless pursuit of Manchester City, but this group game with Benfica was certainly an important one. Not only would it be his 100thChampions League win as manager (a record, unsurprisingly), but if United could overcome the Portuguese giants theyd pretty much be through to the last 16. With FC Basel hot on the tails of both teams however, and with Benfica holding the Red Devils to a draw the last time they met, it was far from a guaranteed win. There was a great deal of nostalgic talk ahead of the match United beat tonights opponents to lift their first European cup in 1968, but theyd have to put those heady thoughts behind them to focus on a very skilful obstacle in the form of Encarnados. The big news Wayne Rooney was out. This meant Dimitar Berbatov stepped to the front of a 4-4-1-1 formation with Ashley Young playing just behind - a position that hasnt inspired the best of performances from Young in his recent international appearances. Antonio Valencia and Nani occupied the wings; it was a strong team that took to the field far more so than the last group of Red Devils to play Benfica. Jorge Jesus fielded a 4-3-3 formation chock-a-block with talent. Pablo Aimar, Axel Witsel, Nicolas Gaitan and Luisao provided strength in all the major areas of the pitch. The latter is quite literally a giant recruited to take up as much of the defensive line as possible. Hes quick, strong and very good in the air - you wouldnt want to meet him in a dark alley or indeed a well-lit one (as itd undoubtedly be difficult to get by.) It didnt take long for the visitors to shock Old Trafford to silence. A great passing move involving Witsel and Gaitan may have resulted in a good goal anyway had Phil Jones not decided to convert it into his own net. He did though as it happens - a disaster for the youngster (his first competitive goal in football) but a dream start for Jesus men, or disciples if you will. Pablo Aimar was everywhere in the opening quarter of an hour. Benfica were proving themselves to be something quite different from a team who were only joint top of Group C because United had yet to hammer them. Theyd actually probably had the better of the game when these two sides drew 1-1 earlier in the year, and it was no different so far at Old Trafford. Nani took it upon himself to run at the visitors, he used tremendous skill to beat three Benfica players before Ezequial Garay viciously cut him down, earning himself a yellow card in the process. The former Sporting Lisbon man dusted himself off to take the free kick, but undoubtedly earned himself more unfavourable comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo from non-United fans when his set piece was weak and straight at Artur Moraes in the Benfica net. Manchester United levelled the score on the half hour mark. Ashley Young deceived the opposition by cheekily sliding a quickly taken free kick to Nani - the hosts best player so far. He cut inside from the left before curling in the perfect cross for Dimitar Berbatov whose brilliant glancing header flew into the far corner. A huge night for the Bulgarian, and what a way to mark it! There were then good chances squandered at either end. First Young found himself free of the last Benfica defender after a one-two with Berbatov, but his weak effort was comfortably parried by the feet of Moraes. Axel Witsel then had a chance for the visitors moments later, again there was only the keeper to beat and Witsel tried to fire it across David De Gea, but the Spaniard was equal to it. The Belgian midfielder seems to be following in the footsteps of compatriot Marouane Fellaini in the hair department, he cant quite lose the ball in it yet but its getting there. Half time. United had started very poorly but had improved dramatically, to the extent that they were the only team in it for the last 15 minutes. Still plenty of life in the game though Aimar and Gaitan were looking like the sort of players who could create something at any time, and Phil Jones was looking ropey in defence. HALF TIMEJavi Garcia had Ashley Young firmly in his pocket most of the time. The winger latched onto an accidental Patrice Evra pass but Garcia did enough to stifle a potentially dangerous situation. Some great attacking play from United to mark the beginning of the second period. Dimitar Berbatov was looking sharp his control and trickery give him so much more than a standard target man. Nani was also playing with plenty of fire in his belly, and Benfica were hurling themselves into blocks and challenges to try and limit the Red Devils attacking threat. The best chance of this spell fell to Fabio da Silva of all people. After some dogged play by Phil Jones on the edge of the Benfica area, the ball somehow broke to the lightweight fullback. He had plenty of time and opted to try and curl it into the near top corner, but Moraes was equal to it. The earth shook considerably as Luisao walked from the pitch, his evening marred by an injury. Miguel Vitor, one-time Leicester loanee, replaced him. The Brazilian is such a presence at the back though, his contribution would surely be missed And indeed it did prove costly Darren Fletcher took the lead for the hosts on around the hour mark. Berbatov hard work looked to be in vain as he was dispossessed, but Evra picked up the loose ball and curled in a sumptuous cross to Fletcher. His finish on the volley was saved by Moraes, but no-one was there to clear it so the midfielder thought he may as well tuck it away 2-1. That didnt last long though. Around a minute later Pablo Aimar equalised for the visitors. David de Gea, whose ropey performances at the beginning of the season had looked a thing of the past was the main fault his terrible clearance went straight to Bruno Cesar, whose cross cannoned off Rio Ferdinand to Aimar who had the simple task of converting from close range. What a game! 2-2 now. The momentum then went out of the match a bit. United were probably having the better of the game just about but their play was rather lacklustre and Benfica would be happy enough with a draw. They almost went behind though when Berbatov connected with a Fabio chipped pass, but his volley flew narrowly over. Rodrigo Moreno Machado whod had a rather quiet night almost won it for Benfica in the dying minutes. He was allowed to run with the ball and got away a powerful low drive that flew the wrong side of the side netting, or the right side if youre a United fan. And that was pretty much it, a deserved point for Benfica that theyll be very happy with. United now need to get at least a draw out of FC Basel. Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey) Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea, Fabio (Smalling, 82), Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia (Hernandez, 80), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Young, Berbatov S.L. Benfica (4-3-3): Moraes, Pereira, Luisao (Vitor, 58), Garay, Emerson, Witsel, Javi Garcia, Bruno Cesar, Aimar (Amorim, 83), Rodrigo, Gaitan (Matic, 67)