Man United vs Benfica Champions League Group Stage 31.10.2017 FT - 2-0 Old Trafford Job done - well almost! It will take some sort of freakish outcome from the final two group games to deprive Manchester United of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after recording a patchy 2-0 win over Benfica at Old Trafford. Anyone expecting a goal bonanza against a side who had offered little in Portugal two weeks ago would have been sorely disappointed. Anthony Martial had appeared to have earned his side the perfect start when winning a penalty after being brought down following a jinking run into the box but his weak spot-kick was easily pushed away by rookie keeper Mile Svilar. And indeed it was the visitors showing surprising attacking flair who almost snatched a shock lead but were thwarted thanks to a magnificent save by David de Gea from a Gonzales drive. It's really tough for Romalu Lukaku at the moment as the striker once again failed to find the target - his fifth successive start without a goal - but at least was able to record a goal-bound shot, a header just over and a one-on-one with the keeper he would normally have expected to convert. The breakthrough finally came a minute before the break when the outstanding Nemanja Matic's drive came back off a post but hit the diving Svilar on his should before bouncing back into the net, Jose Mourinho rang his final two changes after halftime with Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera replacing Juan Mata and Martial and it was the young England striker who was brought down allowing Daley Blind to fire home the resultant penalty. Benfica was still threatening and missed a couple of opportunities of their own but in truth, the Reds always had this contest under control and the flares let off by the vociferous visiting fans did little to raise their side's spirits. Commentary by Lew Fink.