u.c.l. matchday 2, group F, review: sl benfica 0 v 1 MANCHESTER UNITED

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
SL Benfica 0-1 Manchester United, Estadio da Luz, 19.45 Tuesday 26th September 2006.
Goals: Benfica - none. Manchester United - Saha (60).
Attendance: 61,000

United won away in Europe for the first time in nearly three years to leave the Reds top of group E on six points. But it was a far from convincing performance from United with the Reds looking a shadow of themselves until after the half-time break. Sir Alex' hairdryer must have been on full blast as the side came out to score the only goal of the night and leave Estadio da Luz happy. However, questions must once again be asked of the tactics deployed with the manager adopting a safety-first approach and a five man midfield.

It was the Super Eagles of Benfica who started brightest, putting pressure on a United back four that again contained Nemanja Vidic and Gabriel Heinze. United had started with Wayne Rooney shunted out to the left wing and John O'Shea deployed into midfield. It clearly unsettled the Reds who began the game too deep, inviting Benfica to attack.

Anderson, Nuno Gomes and Simao were providing the attacking threat up-front for Benfica, although mostly were reduced to long range efforts. United were defended resolutely but offered little in the way of attack save for one long range Cristiano Ronaldo that dipped forcing the 'keeper into making a scrambling save. Again it was the winger who was United's brightest spark continually running at the Benfica defence despite the hostile crowd. Rooney, meanwhile was forced deeper on the left rarely finding the opportunity to cause damage in areas that mattered.

United picked up a number of yellow cards through innocuous looking challenges that the Portuguese made the most of. Ronaldo, somewhat ironically, accusing Karagounis of diving. Paul Scholes then saw yellow for a late challenge before being caught on camera calling a Benfica player a "fucking poof" - a crude turn of phrase that will start an almost inevitable media witch-hunt.

If United were subdued in the first half they came out with purpose after the break. Possession was controlled more clinically and the team broke quickly - United were not great but posed far more of a threat. It was the dynamic duo of Ronaldo and Louis Saha who combined for the only goal of the night on the hour. Ronaldo found himself in acres of space on the half way line, releasing the Frenchman on the right. Saha galloped into the box before cutting onto his favoured left foot and unleashing an unstoppable drive past Quim and into the 'keepers top right-hand corner.

If United were expecting the storm it didn't materialise - and van der Sar's goal was never seriously threatened. Rooney continued to be subdued but Scholes and Michael Carrick used possession neatly in midfield while O'Shea did the decent thing and rarely got on the ball.

Rooney then finally got into an attacking area after being released on the left but he cut inside and his curled shot never seriously tested the 'keeper. Nuno Gomes then went close with a screaming long range drive past the post before van der Sar was forced into a save from the same player.

The game ended with a deflected Benfica effort just making it onto the roof of United's net and luckily not into the back of it, and Quim making a brilliant triple stop on 87 minutes just to prove he isn't the c*nt we all thought he was!!

So the Reds came away with the points but little else to smile about. The manager was unapologetic about deploying negative tactics and Wayne Rooney looked absolutely no closer to regaining form. He certainly won't if he has to play on the left much longer.

Rant Ratings
(4-5-1): van der Sar (7); Neville (7), Ferdinand (7), Vidic (7), Heinze (7); Ronaldo (9), O'Shea (5), Carrick (7), Scholes (7), Rooney (6); Saha (8)
Subs Used: Fletcher (6) for Rooney (86 mins), Smith (6) for Saha (86 mins).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Brown, Richardson, Solskjaer, Evra.

United's Man of the Match
Louis Saha led the line well and scored a blinding goal on the break. His pace and awareness is a real bonus even if his finishing is erratic. But the MOTM award goes to Ronaldo who was once again sublime. He didn't react to provocation on or off the pitch and posed the Portuguese defence many questions that they could not answer.

Rants Reaction
Once again Sir Alex has left fans bemused with his tactics and team selection. What other manager would deploy their best player in a position where he cannot thrive? Rooney has every right to feel frustrated - he is searching for form but his manager is hardly helping by refusing to play him in the shadow strikers role. Once again O'Shea was deployed in midfield, a position in which he has probably never had a decent game. It has now got to the point where nobody knows what line up or formation Sir Alex will pick from week to week.

In fact Albert Einstein once defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Quite.

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
Yes! We said 1-0 and it was. United Rant 1 v 7 Wrong Predictions. The mother of all comebacks is on.

Milestones
Louis Saha's 5th goal in the UCL for United and 29th overall for the club
SAF's 67th UCL win

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Sunday 1st October 2006 against Newcastle in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 15:00 kick off