Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Manchester United require a point from their final Champions League group C game against Basel if they are to secure their passage through to the knockout stages of this seaosn’s competiton after drawing at home to Benfica.
On the night though, it was hard to argue that the Portuguese side didn’t deserve a point in the game as their central midfield duo of Nicolas Gaitan and Pablo Aimar were outstanding on the night and ran the game.
Benfica started well and went ahead inside the third-minute when Phil Jones deflected a Gaitan cross into his own net. It was a tough break for the youngster as he knew little about it as the ball took a deflection of Patrice Evra before striking the former Blackburn defender.
The visitors couldn’t believe their luck at scoring early at Old Trafford and even had the ball not hit Jones, Benfica’s Rodrigo Machedo would have been on hand at the back post to tap the ball home.
United were clearly intent on levelling the scores after going behind. With Nani and Ashley Young looking dangerous in midfield, an equaliser looked inevitable.
Just after the half-hour mark, United were level. After Young was fouled by Bruno Cesar, the England winger tapped the ball across for Nani to whip the ball into the area from just outside the area for Dimitar Berbatov who had strayed marginally offside to nod home past Artur.
Incredibly it was the Bulgarian’s first Champions League goal since his brace at home in a 3-0 victory over Celtic back in October 2008. With Wayne Rooney missing due to being injured it could prove to be a very important goal for the striker who faces a real challenge to regain a starting place up front.
Immediately after Berbatov’s strike, United could have gone ahead when the forward teed up Young whose shot was well saved by Artur. The final chance of the half fell to Aimar who forced a smart stop from David De Gea.
With Sir Alex Ferguson’s words at half time fresh in their ears, United started the second-half strongly. Young saw an effort blocked by Ezequiel Garay before Fabio tried to chip Artur.
With the pressure telling on Benfica, United finally took the lead when Evra whipped in a cross back into the area which found Darren Fletcher who finished at the second attempt just before the hour-mark to seemingly set United on their way to an expected home win
Benfica hit back though and were level a minute later when De Gea’s poor clearance from a Jones back-pass fell to Cesar who ghosted into the area crossing for Aimar to poke home after Rio Ferdinand desperately tried to clear the ball.
In a frantic finale Berbatov volleyed over from a Fabio cross before Rodrigo Machedo fired wide in the last minute of normal time. United now require a point away in Switzerland against Basel to qualify and are likely to finish Group C as runners-up should Benfica beat Romanian side Otelul Galati in their final group game.
United: De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Fabio (Smalling), Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Valencia (Hernandez), Young, Berbatov.
Star Man
Whilst Fabio and Ashley Young caught the eye for United along with Michael Carrick showing glimpses of his old-form, it was hard to look past Nicolas Gaitan who showed that he is one of the best young midfielders around Europe at the moment. His movement and awareness shone on the night and his manager Jorge Jesus will be praying that he can hang onto the bright Argentine till at least the end of the season.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
