Uefa Champions league group A: Benfica 0 Manchester United 1
JOSE Mourinho took a swipe at those who question his tactics after Manchester United put one foot into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory at Benfica.
The Portuguese was criticised by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, among others, for a defensive mindset following a goalless draw between the fierce Premier League rivals at Anfield at the weekend.
But Mourinho, who was left sweating over a knee injury to Marcus Rashford, believes focusing on the backline is crucial after watching his side move onto nine points after three Group A games in Europe's elite club competition.
He said: "We were the team that was positive and we were always in control. I never felt that we could concede a goal, we were very solid defensively - sometimes I feel that to be good defensively is a crime but it is not a crime.
"To be good defensively is one step to get results. We knew the Benfica pressure could not stay for 90 minutes.
"The amazing defensive work Liverpool did against us, Benfica could not do that for the whole game. Without any pressure, we knew the goal would arrive.
"We have nine points, we are basically one point from qualifying and one victory away from winning the group. A good game, solid."
Rashford scored the only goal in the 65th minute after catching out Benfica's 18-year-old goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who carried the ball over the line having been deceived by the England international's long-range free-kick.
Rashford was substituted soon after and Mourinho added: "I thought it was cramps, I thought it was a bit of fatigue, but no it was something he felt in his knee. I hope nothing too bad."
Svilar replaced Real Madrid great Iker Casillas as the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League match.
Mourinho added: "I knew how good the goalkeeper was, I told the players that. We had a little bit of a strategy, especially on set-pieces to make him uncomfortable.
"He risks a lot, but only top keepers do that. He was unlucky for the goal."
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MANCHESTER United continued their charge towards the Champions League knock-out phase as Benfica’s Mile Svilar, the competition’s youngest-ever goalkeeper, was embarrassed by a Marcus Rashford free-kick.
Jose Mourinho arrived at his former club looking to make it three victories from as many Group A matches, with a chance to bring back the feelgood factor lacking from Saturday’s scoreless draw at Liverpool.
Although unable to produce a swashbuckling display, United triumphed in Lisbon as star man Rashford caught out fellow teenager Svilar with a free-kick that secured a 1-0 win. The deciding moment was a nightmare for the 18-year-old on the night he replaced Real Madrid great Iker Casillas as the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League match.
Only tested by a low Nemanja Matic drive in a tepid first half, United upped the ante after the break led by the former Benfica midfielder and 19-year-old forward Rashford.
England international Rashford twice called Svilar into action from corners before trying his luck with a 64th-minute free-kick. The out-of-position goalkeeper back-pedalled in an attempt to stop the whipped effort, but could only carry it over the line.
Rashford’s ingenuity was key and Mourinho will be hoping the injury that forced him off late on is not too serious given the absentees the United boss has already.
Victory means United are on the brink of reaching the knock-out phase for the first time since 2013-14, whereas Benfica have yet to muster a point at the halfway point of Group A. To make matters worse, they will be without captain Luisao at Old Trafford after his late sending-off.
Benfica’s already precarious position meant it was bold to plump for Svilar in goal – a player whose unorthodox diving header clearance was the most exciting moment of a drab start.
It took 15 minutes for the first flicker of quality to bring the first chance. Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo showed great skill and awareness when bombing down the flank before sending in a cross that Eduardo Salvio drilled wide.
Romelu Lukaku responded with a header that smashed back off the crossbar, but referee Felix Zwayer whistled for an infringement as the match returned to its plodding pace.
There was a brief period of United attacking excitement before the break as Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the target either side of a Matic low attempt that Svilar dealt with – the only shot on target of a dire opening period.
Ander Herrera drilled wide and Rashford had a hopeful effort when play resumed, with the latter soon showing exceptional skill to take Douglas off his feet out wide.
Matic flashed over from long range and Rashford twice threatened Benfica’s teenage goalkeeper directly from corners as United pushed for the opener.
However, Rashford had found a chink in Svilar’s armour and made it count from a free-kick out wide, catching the teenager out of position as the goalkeeper failed to stop the ball crossing the line.
Rashford would soon limp off to be replaced by Anthony Martial, with the in-form substitute swiftly showing great skill before having a near-post attempt stopped as the match petered out. Luisao’s second yellow card late on for a late lunge on substitute Scott McTominay compounded a miserable night for Benfica.
Benfica: Svilar, Douglas, Luisao, Dias, Grimaldo, Pizzi (Zivkovic 59), Fejsa, Filipe Augusto, Salvio (Cervi 83), Jimenez, Goncalves (Jonas 69)
Subs Not Used: Julio Cesar, Lopez, Samaris, Seferovic
Sent Off: Luisao (90)
Booked: Luisao, Goncalves
Man Utd: de Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind, Mata (Lingard 82), Ander Herrera, Matic, Rashford (Martial 76), Mkhitaryan (McTominay 90), Lukaku
Subs Not Used: Romero, Jones, Young, Darmian
Booked: Valencia, Lingard
Goals: Rashford 65
Ref: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
