Manchester United vs Benfica - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men march past Portuguese visitors
Re-live all the action from Old Trafford
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United host Benfica for their fourth Champions League group match on Tuesday night expecting to continue a 100 per cent winning record.
Having clinched a 1-0 victory against the Portuguese champions last time out, United will be seeking their fourth straight win in the competition this season. Another three points here, if CSKA Moscow also fail to beat FC Basel in the evening’s other Group A fixture, would be enough to secure qualification to the last-16 of the competition.
United have reasons to be confident of achieving this feat for the first time since 2013. Although boss Jose Mourinho continues to be hampered by several absences – including Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini - Saturday’s solid 1-0 victory against title rivals Tottenham will have reassured that even a weakened XI are still more than capable of grinding out an important result.
On this evidence, and given the importance of United’s trip to Chelsea in the league on Sunday, don’t be surprised if Mourinho rests some other big names for this, comparatively low-pressure, fixture.
Benfica, sitting bottom of Group A after three losses in a row, can only realistically target Europa League qualification from their remaining games. However, with two league wins in the past fortnight, they will be hoping to improve upon their dismal performance against United in Lisbon on 18 October.
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What time does it start?
Manchester United vs Benfica kicks off at 19:45.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 3 from 19:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for…
Mile Svilar. The promising 18-year old keeper made a nightmarish error to gift United victory two weeks ago, carrying the ball over the line from a Marcus Rashford free kick. Although the visibly-distraught Belgian was comforted by United players after the game on that evening, he will nonetheless be hoping for a better performance at Old Trafford, and is understood to have been given the chance to atone for his errors by Benfica boss Rui Vitoria.
Remember when…
… and that was in December 2005, when United were knocked out away from home by the Portuguese team in the Champions League Round of 16. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo – ex-Sporting Lisbon winger – was retroactively banned for making an offensive gesture towards the home fans.
Player to watch…
Anthony Martial. The mercurial Frenchman has had a mixed start to the season. Although he has the best goals-per-minute ratio of any United player (100), he has only started six games in all competitions. He will be hoping to follow up on his calmly-taken goal against Spurs at the weekend to secure a starting place.
Past three meetings…
Benfica 0 Manchester United 1 (Rashford), October 2017
Manchester United 2 (Berbatov, Fletcher) Benfica 2 (Jones (OG), Aimar), November 2011
Benfica 1 (Cardozo) Manchester United 1 (Giggs), September 2011
Form guide…
Manchester United: WDWLWW
Benfica: WLDLWW
Odds…
Manchester United: 33/100
Benfica: 19/5
Draw: 17/2
26 mins: Jesse Lingard picks up a yellow card for entering the pitch without permission after receiving treatment on the sideline. Let's hope that one doesn't come back to haunt him.
In Rome...
Elsewhere, Chelsea have responded well to going a goal behind. Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata have both missed good chances.
30 mins: Romelu Lukaku, remember him, forces a save at the near post with a low drive from inside the box.
Moments later he heads over Daley Blind's cross. Are we going to see a first goal in five matches?
33 mins: Jesse Lingard in behind Romelu Lukaku is an idea that has so far failed to take off. A gaping space behind the Belgian is telling and United are struggling to occupy it.
In the stands Benfica fans let off a flare. I imagine Jose Mourinho will put the security in for double training after this performance.
Goal!
Basel 1-0 CSKA Moscow
This means as it stands, Manchester United are through to the last 16.
41 mins: Romelu Lukaku works the ball to Anthony Martial who controls the ball with a questionable first touch then fires a shot wide.
Goal!
Manchester United 1-0 Benfica
Nemanja Matic fires a low shot from range which hits the post and bounces off Mile Svilar and into the net. The young goalkeeper must hate the sight of United.
46 mins: Mile Svilar has redeemed himself and makes a great save from Romelu Lukaku's tame effort. The Manchester United forward should do better one on one.
46 mins: Mile Svilar has redeemed himself and makes a great save from Romelu Lukaku's tame effort. The Manchester United forward should do better one on one.
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