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Manchester United set up dramatic UEFA Champions League Group C finale with Benfica draw

Stewart Flaherty, November 23 2011,
Manchester United and Benfica played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last night, a result that leaves qualification from Group C very much in the balance.
Manchester United must now win or draw at FC Basel to qualify for the UEFA Champions League last 16.
Manchester United must now win or draw at FC Basel to qualify for the UEFA Champions League last 16.
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The result means United and Benfica are currently tied for first place in the group on nine points, while third placed FC Basel won 3-2 at Otelul Galati last night to move themselves only one point further back.

Benfica took an early lead courtesy of a Phil Jones own goal at Old Trafford, before Dimitar Berbatov equalized before half-time. Darren Fletcher put United in front during the second half, only for Pablo Aimar to equalize a minute later.

It took only four minutes for Benfica to stun the home crowd, when Nicolas Gaitan burst down the right and had his cross deflected into the United net by Jones.

The goal stung United into a response, and Nani threatened before Ashley Young had a shot saved. Portuguese winger Nani broke open the Benfica defense in the 30th minute when his cross was headed home by Berbatov.

Both teams had chances to take the lead before half-time, when Young had another shot saved by Artur, before David De Gea denied Aimar at the other end.

Young and Fabio went close to giving United the lead early in the second half, before Fletcher made the breakthrough in the 59t minute. Patrice Evra crossed from the left flank, and Fletcher finished off at the second attempt to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead.

It took Benfica only one minute to equalize with United goalkeeper De Gea at fault. The Spanish goalkeeper’s kick was short and went straight to Bruno Cesar, who dribbled into the box before setting up Aimar to score.

Berbatov and Rodrigo were both presented with chances to win the game for their respective teams during the last 10 minutes, but both fired off target and the points were shared at the final whistle.

The result means Benfica have sealed qualification into the knockout stages, and can win the group if they beat Otelul Galati during Matchday six.

United must get a result at FC Basel on December 7th to seal their progress into the last 16, and can win the group if they better Benfica’s result.

If United are beaten in Switzerland, then they will be eliminated and Basel will advance into the knockout stages.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his men will advance to the knockout stages. “It will be a hard game in Basel. But when the chips are down I have every confidence in the team,” Ferguson told BBC Sport.

LINEUPS

MAN UTD – De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Fabio (Smalling 82), Carrick, Nani, Young, Fletcher, Valencia (Hernandez 80), Berbatov.

BEN – Artur, Emerson, Luisao (Miguel Vitor 58), Pereira, Garay, Javi Garcia, Bruno Cesar, Aimar (Amorim 83), Gaitan (Matic 67), Witsel, Rodrigo.

SCORING SUMMARY

BEN – Phil Jones (own goal) 4’
MAN – Dimitar Berbatov (Nani) 30’
MAN – Darren Fletcher (Patrice Evra) 59’
BEN – Pablo Aimar (Bruno Cesar) 60’

LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Axel Witsel (Benfica)

Attendance: 74,853

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