Manchester United vs Benfica Post Match Analysis

A big game in the Group Stages and a big win if not a weird one for Manchester United with goals from Mile Svilar and Daley Blind to send Man United into the Champions League knock out rounds.

Overall a mediocre performance and Martial looked the brightest player of the game with his confidence brewing after the late winner against Tottenham on Saturday and after winning the penalty, couldn’t put his good work on the score sheet with Mile Svilar saving his penalty and making some vital saves from Lukaku to keep Benfica in the game. However the 18 year old couldn’t help but pick the ball from the back of the net after Matic’s shot hit the post and rebounded from the unlucky goalkeeper’s back and into the net. Another poor start to the second half with Lingard replaced by Mkhitaryan for the second half after an elbow to the ribs, Benfica always looked like scoring throughout the game with David de Gea making two stunning saves. After Marcus Rashford came on the game was rekindled into life and e won another penalty with his first dribble of the game and after a little debating, Daley Blind scored the penalty with his only real contribution to the game.

Overall a poor game with a few glimmers of brilliance but enough to send Man United to the next stage of the Champions League and build up the confidence ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Match Ratings

David de Gea 8/10

A stunning save in the first half but mostly a quiet first half and made another great save early in the second half

Matteo Darmian 7/10

Not done much wrong but getting forward well and putting in some solid tackles

Eric Bailly 6/10

Strong but easily could’ve given away a penalty but always a solid 

Chris Smalling 7/10

Solid as well not much wrong

Daley Blind 6.5/10

A little rusty but not too much wrong again but by far the worst of the back four even so, scored a penalty and showed his confidence

Nemanja Matic 7.5/10

His shot opened the scoring and his presence is being made even more known every game he plays 

Scott McTominay 7/10

Strong in midfield despite a couple of nutmegs from the Benfica players but kept going on his Champions League debut

Juan Mata 6.5/10

Good performance, more clinical passes and getting forward and wide very well

Jesse Lingard 6/10

Tried to impact on the game and continue his good run of form but was elbowed early on and had to come off at half time

Anthony Martial 7/10

Brightest spark of the first half and despite his saved penalty he looked sharp and confident making strong runs and pushing for a Premier League start

Romelu Lukaku 6/10

Always strong but could have had a better first half, some poor touches but had some great passes and spotted Matic in the centre for the goal and looked hungry for goals but needs to be more clinical

SUBS

Henrik Mkhitaryan 5/10

Really looking to get his season back on track but once again looked relatively lax in his movement 

Ander Herrera 6.5/10

Calmed the game down as soon as he entered the pitch and looked 

Marcus Rashford 7/10

Won the penalty on his first run of the game and looked as bright as normal

MAN OF THE MATCH: DAVID DE GEA