It was no doubt that Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United would be the dominant giants in their group and they lived up to that perception with two good wins in their opening two champions league games. The stern test, however, was expected to arrive from Estadio Da Luz, the home of SL Benfica. However during the game, Manchester United remained solid at the back and irrespective of the quality of football, they won through Marcus Rashford’s free-kick which was taken over the line by Slivar.
The Best & Worst Manchester United Players Rated Out Of 10 In Their Win Vs Benfica
GK: David De Gea – 7/10
Hardly had anything to do and bagged another clean-sheet. He’s on a roll!
RB: Antonio Valencia – 7.5/10
Patrolled down the right flank regularly and kept a firm grip on the proceedings from that side. Supreme.
CB: Victor Lindelof – 7/10
Tidy and effective against his former side. His nervousness looks to have completely disappeared.
CB: Chris Smalling – 7/10
Complimented Lindelof perfectly and held his own ground when needed.
LB: Daley Blind – 6.5/10
Nothing great happened down his flank and he didn’t have to do much in the game.
CM: Ander Herrera – 8/10
Clever and simple. He played his way out brilliantly at times and didn’t let the flow of the game stop because he was flawless.
CM: Nemanja Matic – 9/10
He was fantastic once again at the centre and it didn’t need any superb football. He simply went about all over the midfield, retrieved the ball when needed, passed it along aerially or through the ground and was a pain for Benfica all evening. Man of the match!
LM: Marcus Rashford – 6.5/10
Looked to be United’s only threat for a long time. Not top class on the day but rather okayish.
RM: Juan Mata – 6/10
He had a mediocre game as well. He wasn’t largely influential but he did his bit when he got the ball.
CAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 3/10
Absolutely woeful today. He couldn’t pass! Rusty and he went unpunished today but United can never afford performances like these on big occasions.
ST: Romelu Lukaku – 4.5/10
He really needs to improve the control he has on the ball. He tried today but gave away the ball on so many occasions.
Substitutes
LM: Anthony Martial – 6/10
Dazzled immediately after he came on and did try to cause trouble on two occasions but the end product let him down a bit.
FW: Jesse Lingard – N/A
Came on late and can’t be judged.
CM: Scott McTominay – N/A
Same as Lingard. He came on very late.
