Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
Matchday 6: Manchester United 3 v 1 SL Benfica, Old Trafford, 19.45 Wednesday 6th December 2006.
Manchester United: Vidic (45), Giggs (61), Saha (75) - SL Benfica: Nelson (27).
Attendance: 74,955.

United were completely disjointed for the start of this Champions League game, with the blame lying firmly at the door of Sir Alex after the inept tactical switch of moving Wayne Rooney to the right of a five man midfield. And at home too! United overcame the handicap only after Fergie was forced to change the Red's formation when Nelson slammed home a world class strike for the visitors on the half hour.

The Reds would end up comfortably beating last year's slayers though, after Vidic's leveller and two more headers from Giggs and Louis Saha.

Evra was given the nod ahead of Heinze and Carrick was restored to the starting line-up but United lacked any penetration in the first half hour. The Reds created little as Benfica profited from space on United's left.

With Benfica handed an open invitation to attack due to Sir Alex' negative outlook, United soon found themselves down as Simao Sabrosa found space on Benfica's right wing. The winger cut the ball infield and right-back Nelson rifled home a perfect strike to leave United one down.

United fans, witnessing Ferguson's formation, thought the worse was about to happen once again.

SAF switched the side back to 4-4-2 and in admitting his error a different team emerged. The side that is deservingly top of the Premiership finally made an appearance and started to pick apart Benfica. Ronaldo immediately had an impact as the young forward tested Quim with a powerful free-kick. The goalkeeper was powerless to hold the shot but Saha missed his chance from the parry.

United were in full swing and it was only a matter of time before the goal was scored. It came late in the first half when Giggs' curled set piece was met by the colossus Vidic, whose powerful header drew United level.

The Reds continued to be the better side and with only a Petit free-kick troubling van der Sar United would soon again score. The second goal came when Ronaldo crossed for the unmarked Giggs to guide his header into the net and give United some daylight.

Ronaldo again would be the instigator for the third goal and after being upturned by international team mate Petit, the man with a licence to thrill exchanged words with his countryman before Darren Fletcher's free kick was met by Saha to thump home a header.

Rant Ratings
van der Sar (7); Neville (7),Ferdinand (8),Vidic (9),Evra (7); Ronaldo (8),Carrick (6),Scholes (7), Giggs (8); Rooney (6), Saha (6).
Subs Used: Heinze (5) for Evra (67 mins), Fletcher (7) for Giggs (73 mins), Solskjaer (5) for Scholes (78 mins).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Brown, O'Shea, Silvestre.

United's Man of the Match
With growing in stature each game, centre-half Vidic was simply brilliant again after another commanding display. He's a threat from set pieces and a leader at the back.

Rant's Reaction
This match goes to show why we at RANT feel United will not win the European again cup whilst SAF is in charge. If Benfica had not scored the game would have ended 0-0. 4-5-1 for the first 20 minutes meant United were poor. Only after falling a goal behind did Rooney shift into the centre and United begin to play with two wingers.

Fergie your European tactics are TOTAL RUBBISH. Once again SAF cheats us all by playing Wayne Rooney on the left. When has it ever worked? For FUCK SAKE ARGGGHHHH!!! What is Rooney doing there? He's crap in that position!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No. We said 2-0. United Rant 4 v 21 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Nemanja Vidic's 1st UCL goal of his United career and 3rd goal overall for the club
Louis Saha's 4th UCL goal of his United career and 35th goal overall
Ryan Giggs's 25th UCL goal of his United career and 139th overall
Ryan Giggs's 100th UCL appearance for United!

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Saturday 9th December 2006 against A MASSIVE Club in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 12.45 kick off