Manchester United all but secured progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Benfica last night at Old Trafford.
An own goal from Benfica keeper Mile Svilar and a penalty from Daley Blind sealed all three points for the Reds, but CSKA Moscow’s victory over Basel in the other Group A game means United need a point against Basel to ensure a place in the knockout stages.
José Mourinho made five changes to the side that beat Spurs at the weekend, giving young Scott McTominay a first Champions League start, while Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling were deployed as the central pairing as the Reds reverted to a back four.
And United could have taken the lead in the early goings, with Anthony Martial being felled by Douglas after a superb driving run, but the Frenchman’s resulting penalty was well-saved by Svilar, who atoned for his mistake in the reverse fixture.
However, bad luck would once again strike the Belgian keeper, as Nemanja Matic’s low shot struck the post and ricocheted in off Svilar’s back, giving United the lead before half-time.
Blind sealed the victory in an unremarkable second half, slotting home from twelve yards after substitute and birthday boy Marcus Rashford was clumsily barged off the ball by Andreas Samaris after another driving run.
Here are my five observations from the Theatre of Dreams:
