Manchester United vs Benfica - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men march past Portuguese visitors
Re-live all the action from Old Trafford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
Follow all the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
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
66 mins: Manchester United make their second change of the game as Juan Mata makes way for Ander Herrera.
70 mins: Henrikh Mkhitaryan slips a pass to Romelu Lukaku but has his shot saved. The flag is up against the Belgian who perhaps should have left that for Anthony Martial who was onside.
Goal!
Celtic 1-1 Bayern Munich
Callum McGregor scores against the German Champions to bring the score level.
74 mins: Manchester United make their final change. Anthony Martial, who has been United's best player tonight, makes way for Marcus Rashford who turns 20 today.
Goal!
Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Celtic's celebrations were short lived and Javi Martinez returns the lead to the German's.
Penalty to Manchester United!
Marcus Rashford weaves in and out of challenges and is clattered off the ball by Eliseu
Goal!
Manchester United 2-0 Benfica
Romelu Lukaku grabs the ball, he loses it to Ander Herrera who then has it taken off him by Daley Blind who scores from the spot. I wonder who made the call to overrule Lukaku?
CSKA Moscow are now winning against Basel which means that even if Manchester United win tonight, they will need one more point to mathematically confirm their place in the next phase of the competition.
'Shambles'
Chelsea will head back to the drawing board after a night to forget in Rome. They still trail the Italian side by three goals without reply.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments