United 2 Benfica 2 (Player Ratings)

David De Gea Dealt smartly with a Pablo Aimar shot and also made a more routine save from the Argentinian but he'll be disappointed it was his kick-out that led to the Benfica forward's equaliser. Otherwise, he was very assured and had no chance with the own goal.

Fabio A tough character who made some spiky challenges and tackled with gusto. A casual chip allowed Artur to save when clean through in the second half but he also crossed well for a gilt-edged Dimitar Berbatov chance. Made one excellent recovery tackle after losing the ball high up the field.

Patrice Evra Struggled initially to cope with Nicolas Gaitan, who was playing on the right, but grew in stature and went on to enjoy an impressive display. Joined the attack with his usual vigour and enterprise and it was his excellent centre that created Darren Fletcher's strike.

Phil Jones After being moved into the middle due to Nemanja Vidic's suspension, the young defender suffered an awful start when putting through his own net in the third minute - although Gaitan's cross did take a slight deflection off Evra. Recovered his composure and one piece of beligerent play led to a clear chance for Fabio.

Rio Ferdinand Calm and unflappable throughout but was angry with the second goal United conceded. The ball struck him at an awkward height and fell invitingly for Pablo Aimar to slam in from close range as Benfica replied almost instantly to Fletcher's goal.

Antonio Valencia A little quiet, even if he did link up well with Fabio on a couple of occasions. Was unable to make the most of one promising break in the first half and was replaced with 10 minutes remaining by Javier Hernandez.

Michael Carrick A fine display as he grew more adventurous in his passing and helped United dictate matters at times. Some crunching tackles were a feature of his play and he was hugely unlucky to be booked for a fair one on Aimar. The yellow card means he misses the crunch trip to Basel. A sweeping pass to Nani out on the left was a highlight.

Darren Fletcher Neat and tidy in midfield and tracked back intelligently. Of course, his goal edged United in front, reacting sharply when Artur saved his initial shot to prod home his finish into an empty net. Was beaten by Rodrigo when the forward shot wide in the dying seconds but he can be well pleased with his work.

Nani Clearly up for the challenge of facing his fellow countryman, he was robust and firm in the tackle. A slalom run got the crowd on its feet, only for Ezequiel Garay to end it with a crude foul and he was given some rough treatment. Assisted Dimitar Berbatov's header with a superb cross and teed up Ashley Young for a great chance in the second half. Had a penalty shout rejected.

Ashley Young Worked hard in an advanced role, playing centrally off Berbatov, but was unable to get on the scoresheet. Was thwarted by Artur in a one-on-one seconds after Berbatov's equaliser and he was unable to convert a Nani centre after the interval. Drifted offside on a few occasions but that was understandable as he tried to adapt to a role he's not really been used in at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov Had a quiet opening as he led the line but his influence grew markedly after placing a header wide of Artur from Nani's cross. Garay deflected a shot from the Bulgarian over the bar and he was guilty of blasting a volley over the top that could have won the points late on. Twice tapped into an empty net after the whistle had gone.

SUBSTITUTES
Javier Hernandez (for Valencia, 80) Had little sniff of goal after coming on for the final stages.

Chris Smalling (for Fabio, 82) Tasted some action towards the end and was unable to steal the headlines with a wild shot well over the top.

source : Manutd

United 2 Benfica 2

MAN UNITED 2
Berbatov (30), Fletcher (59)
BENFICA 2
Jones (OG 3), Aimar (61)

22 NOVEMBER 2011, OLD TRAFFORD ATTENDANCE: 74,853

22/11/2011 21:30, Report by Adam Marshall

For those who criticise the Champions League group stages, this fabulous affair was evidence of the sort of entertainment it can provide.

United went behind to an early Phil Jones own goal but battled back valiantly with goals from Dimitar Berbatov, spearheading the team in Wayne Rooney's absence, and Darren Fletcher. The Portuguese visitors responded swiftly through Pablo Aimar to keep their unbeaten run this season intact and a Nani cross that deflected behind in injury time proved the final throw of the dice.

As it stands, United are second in Group C - level on points with Benfica but crucially behind Tuesday's opponents on the head-to-head format - with Jorge Jesus' outfit due to play Otelul Galati in the final round. Basel held out for a 3-2 victory in Romania and they sit only a point behind last season's runners-up in the table.

The Reds got off to a nightmare start when an incisive move down the right in the third minute saw Maxi Pereira feed Nicolas Gaitan and the winger's cross was shinned into his own net by Jones, giving David De Gea no chance.

Gradually, Sir Alex's side responded, largely through Nani's adventurous dribbling, with Artur brought into action by the Portugal international's free-kick and a shot from Ashley Young. The visitors continued to try and disrupt the Reds' flow but the breakthrough came on the half-hour mark. Young worked a free-kick short to Patrice Evra who helped it on to Nani, always likely to be the source of any inspiration. The wide man's left-wing cross was perfect for Berbatov to guide a splendid header wide of Artur and into the net for the equaliser.

The goal sparked a frantic spell, with Young firing a one-on-one opportunity against Artur's legs after linking well with Berbatov and Aimar bringing a smart stop out of De Gea seconds later. Although Berbatov later tapped the ball into the net, Evra had long since been flagged offside and Artur was yellow-carded for his attempts to get the Bulgarian booked.

Clearly gaining in influence since his leveller, Berbatov had a drive deflected over by Ezequiel Garay's desperate block following some neat work by Young as the sides went into the break all-square, allowing the fans to catch their breath.

The second half was just as exciting and began with Young's side-foot shot being blocked at close range following some fine work by Nani. Fabio spurned a glorious chance on 54 minutes when Jones' strong pressing led to him being in the clear with only Artur to beat but the keeper saved the attempted chip.

Undeterred, the Reds kept knocking on the door and, soon after Benfica lost Luisao to injury, Fletcher edged his team in front. Evra's superb ball into the box allowed the Scot to find the net, at the second time of asking after Artur did superbly to block his initial shot. Old Trafford's joy was short-lived, however, as De Gea's misplaced kick-out gifted possession to the Portuguese side and Bruno Cesar's cross hit Rio Ferdinand and fell kindly for Aimar, who gratefully smashed home from close range.

Berbatov had the ball in the net again but Young was flagged offside, probably incorrectly, before the officials got it right when Nani appealed for a penalty under Javi Garcia's challenge. Referee Cuneyt Cakir merely waved play on. Goalscorers Aimar and Fletcher traded off-target efforts, before Berbatov really should have restored the Reds' lead. Fletcher's intelligent pass freed Fabio and the Brazilian's cross was volleyed over by the unmarked Bulgarian inside the box.

It proved a costly miss as, despite the introduction of Javier Hernandez for Antonio Valencia, the Reds were unable to gain the victory that would have made the qualification process considerably easier. Indeed, Rodrigo went closest to a winner when easing past Fletcher but firing wide with his left foot. As it is, the final group fixture in Basel next month carries great significance and any hope of topping the group may have vanished in the cold Manchester air.

source : Manutd

United v Benfica

21/11/2011 02:30 , Mark Froggatt

United welcome Benfica to OT knowing a win will seal progress to the UEFA Champions League last 16...

Form guide

United recorded a fifth consecutive win and clean sheet on Saturday with a well deserved victory over Swansea City in the Barclays Premier League, adding to earlier triumphs against Aldershot, Everton, Otelul Galati and Sunderland. Another three points against Benfica would guarantee the Reds safe passage through to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, though the Portuguese giants know a similar result would seal their own qualification. Impressively, the Leões are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have won 13 out of 20 games.

Ins and out

Sir Alex Ferguson is without Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Michael Owen (hamstring) who have both been ruled out until Christmas, while captain Nemanja Vidic is suspended following his straight red card against Otelul Galati in Bucharest. Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Chris Smalling (foot) and Ashley Young (toe) are all in contention, as is Wayne Rooney, despite the striker sitting out Monday's training. Galati are without Enzo Perez (knee) and should be missing Javier Saviola (knee) and Nemanja Matić (foot), however Javi García has recovered from a dead leg and is likely to feature.

Last meeting

Ryan Giggs earned United a well deserved draw in a difficult Group C opener in Lisbon, firing home from 20 yards to cancel out Oscar Cardozo’s similarly impressive strike at the Estádio da Luz. The Welshman’s goal extends his record as the competition’s oldest scorer to 37 years and 289 days.

Top man

In contrast to his diminutive figure, Nicolas Gaitán is a powerful weapon in Benfica’s attacking arsenal and is definitely a man to watch. Although naturally a centre-midfielder, the former Boca Juniors man is regularly deployed on the left of a three-pronged attack, adopting the role of creator-in-chief for towering striker Cardozo. The Argentine was a standout performer against United in September and has since been linked with a £40million move to M16.

Quote/unquote

“You do want to finish top. First and foremost, you look to qualify for the knockout stages. But you want to finish top, for the last-16 draw and for other perks like playing the second leg at home.” – Darren Fletcher

Any sub-plots?

Both United and Benfica sit joint-top of Group C, meaning Tuesday’s match will go a long way to deciding which team finishes first and avoids the big guns in the knockout stages. This fixture also evokes memories of 1968, when the Reds beat Eusebio and co at Wembley to lift the European Cup for the first time.

Whistle blower

Promising Turkish official Cüneyt Çakir has enjoyed a steady ascension since his European debut in 2003, taking charge of five Champions League games and several more in the Europa League. The Insurance worker from Istanbul is yet to referee either side.

Rivals watch

Elsewhere in Group C, Otelul Galati hope to register their first points of the campaign against FC Basel in Romania while Manchester City travel to Italy to face Napoli in Group A.

source : Manutd

Sir Alex targets top spot

21/11/2011 11:00, Report by Mark Froggatt

Sir Alex Ferguson is setting his sights on victory over Benfica and eventually top spot in Group C as he plots to avoid Europe’s elite in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

The boss has done the maths ahead of Tuesday's Old Trafford clash and knows victory over the Portuguese giants would guarantee progress to the last 16, with only a point against FC Basel on Matchday 6 then needed to ensure qualification as section winners.

However, the United manager is wary of a potential upset and has challenged his side to make life easier by taking all six points from the two remaining games.

“We showed a bit of carelessness against Basel but we are joint top with Benfica,” Sir Alex warned. “FC Basel have got five points though so it’s still not over, if you look at all of the different scenarios we can still beat Benfica and go out.

“As stupid as it may seem, if Basel were to go and wallop Otelul Galati and then beat us, they’d be on the same points as us and could knock us out on goal difference, unless Benfica can score enough goals against Galati in their last game. If they do then we are out, so it is interesting.

“The most important thing is to qualify but it is always that little bonus if you are top because then you avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Barcelona might not finish top, though, as they’ve got to go to Milan who have been doing alright.”

Inevitably, Sir Alex has kept a watchful eye over United’s Champions League rivals this season and has been particularly impressed by the efforts of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, who currently sit three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Among other things, the manager is a fan of Real's work ethic and energy off the ball, as well as the individual talents of Mesut Özil and ex-Reds star Cristiano Ronaldo, whose scoring record in Spain currently stands at 104 goals in 107 appearances.

“I think Real Madrid have improved. I’ve been watching their games and they are playing really well," Sir Alex told the Sunday newspapers. "In fact, overall I’ve think they’re playing every bit as good as Barcelona and their goals have been phenomenal. They have definitely improved, there’s no question about that.

“They are fit as hell and they put some energy into their games. I think there is improvement in the boy Ozil too, he has improved a lot and Ronaldo is Ronaldo. He is phenomenal. 104 goals in 107 games is brilliant – it nearly breaks my record!”

source : Manutd