(The video below is only available to U.S. viewers)
TEAM STATISTICS
The Busby Babe United Benfica Shots (on target) Total Passes Passing Accuracy Ball Possession Tackles won Interceptions Fouls Corners Offsides
15 (7)
11 (4)
596
315
85%
69%
66%
34%
31
23
23
20
13
18
6
2
9
0
MUFC STATISTICS
* David De Gea (goalkeeper): 2 goals conceded, 3 saves, 22/37 passing (59%)
* Phil Jones (right-center-back): 66/77 passing (87%), 2 tackles, 1 interception, 6 clearances, 1 shot blocked, 5 aerial duels won, 1 foul, 1 own goal
* Rio Ferdinand (left-center-back): 59/62 passing (95%), 0 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 2 aerial duels, 0 fouls
* Fabio (right-back): 50/61 passing (82%), 2 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 1 aerial duel won, 2 fouls, 1/3 crosses, 1 key pass
* Patrice Evra (left-back): 68/84 passing (81%), 7 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 clearances, 1 shot blocked, 1 aerial duel won, 2 fouls, 1/2 crosses, 1 key pass
* Michael Carrick (central-midfield): 88/105 passing (84%), 1 key pass, 13 accurate long balls, 1 successful dribble, 3 fouls won, 0 shots, 5 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 clearances, 1 foul
* Darren Fletcher (central-midfield): 74/82 passing (92%), 0 key passes, 9 accurate long balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 foul won, 3 shots (2 on target), 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 0 fouls, 1 goal
* Antonio Valencia (right-midfield): 39/46 passing (85%), 0 key passes, 2/5 crosses, 1 successful dribble, 2 fouls won, 0 shots, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 0 fouls
* Nani (left-midfield): 47/59 passing (80%), 3 key passes, 2/11 crosses, 5 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 2 shots (1 on target), 5 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 fouls, 1 assist
* Ashley Young (central-attacking-midfielder): 41/45 passing (91%), 1 key pass, 1/8 crosses, 0/1 through balls, 3 shots (2 on target), 1 successful dribble, 6 fouls won, 2 tackles, 1 interception
* Dimitar Berbatov (striker): 28/35 passing (80%), 1 key pass, 1/1 through balls, 3 shots (1 on target), 2 successful dribbles, 2 fouls won, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 goal
* Javier Hernandez (striker | substitute 80'): 3/3 passing (100%), 0 key passes, 0 through balls, 1 shot (0 on target), 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 0 tackles, 0 interceptions
* Chris Smalling (right-back | substitute 82'): 11/15 passing (73%), 0 key passes, 0/0 crosses, 2 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 1 aerial duel won, 0 fouls
POST-MATCH QUOTES
Sir Alex Ferguson | MUFC manager (courtesy of ManUtd.com)
(Overall thoughts on the match...) "The goals we conceded were very disappointing - they were a bit freaky to be honest. One was an own goal and the other was a bad kick out from David De Gea. The back pass could have been a little bit better, it wasn’t a bad back pass but David couldn’t really play it into the stands. But we played so well tonight, we made a lot of great chances and played some really good football. I have no problems with my players at all. But that’s the game, it’s a cruel one at times and it was cruel for us tonight. We had to get into our rhythm and tempo. We had a bad start by losing a goal after three or four minutes, which takes the steam out of you and the wind from of your sails. But once we got into the game we played really well and should have been two or three up by half-time. We kept on playing and creating chances in the second-half and I think we were very unfortunate not to win the game.We were missing a few players like Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling has only just come back and Nemanja Vidic was suspended but the squad we’ve got is good enough, we’ve no complaints. That’s why we’ve got this squad and they proved themselves tonight and did really well."
(On United's standing in Group C...) "The chips are down for us but I have every confidence in my team. Obviously, Benfica should win at home and score a few goals against Galati so we have to win in good style."
(On Berbatov's recent lack of playing time and his performance versus Benfica...) "He's always been involved. He's not had the starts but that's all to do with the partnerships we've had this season. He's done very well tonight and could've scored a hat-trick. It was a bad decision when he was flagged offside in the first half - it was never offside. And he missed an opportunity near the end, he was a bit unlucky but maybe he could've taken it down. Nonetheless, he played very well and there's always a goal in Dimi, always the ability to turn a game. That's why I played him. He's always in my thoughts."
Darren Fletcher | MUFC midfielder (courtesy of MUTV)
(Overall thoughts on the match versus Benfica...) " We're disappointed as topping the group looks like it's going to be difficult now. It's still in our hands to go to Basel and get a positive result and go through. We've lost goals at bad times and they were bad goals, but these things happen. We lose goals as a team and we created enough chances to win the match by a few goals. Unfortunately we didn't take them and suffered because of that. The first [goal we conceded], Phil Jones couldn't do much about it. It was the same for Rio Ferdinand, who was in a good position defensively, but it just comes off him and falls to their lad [Pablo Aimar] nicely. We're disappointed in that respect but, like I've said, we created enough chances and played some good stuff. Benfica are a good side. We experienced that when we played them out there. They're having a good season in their domestic league so we were under no illusions that they were going to have a go and it was a decent match to play in."
(On United's standing in Group C...) "Obviously we need a bit of luck [to finish top of Group C], but I fully expect Benfica to go and win their match. We'll go to Basel to win our match with a faint hope of topping the group but the most important thing is to get into the next round, even though you want to win the group. If we play one of the top sides, so be it, we'll look forward to that challenge."
(On Young's performance...) "Youngy was fantastic playing in the hole behind the striker. He was available all night and caused them problems. It's great to have him back."
Nani | MUFC winger
(On United's current form and injury situation...) "We are in a good moment. We have been playing good football and have to forget this [result] and think about the way we have been playing. The way we haven’t conceded goals [recently] and won games is important. We’ll try to do that in the next game against Newcastle."We have missed a couple of players. We are missing a couple of players every game, which is not good for any team, but we will be fine in the next games and the players will come back."
(Overall thoughts on the match versus Benfica...) "We were unlucky with the first goal. Everybody was in a good position and there was no chance for them to create anything. They crossed the ball and it came off a leg and it was an own goal. We played some fantastic football and created a lot of chances to score goals and eventually wasted a lot. We let them create a chance to make it 2-2 and they took it. That was a big problem for us."
(On United's standing in Group C...) "We are used to this pressure and have enough experience to go to Basle and win the game. We never know: Benfica could draw their next game, but you have to think about yourself. We have to be ready to return to winning ways. We expect a good game from Basel but we have a lot of ambition. We have to show we want it more than them and work harder than the other team."
Chris Smalling | MUFC defender
(On the result versus Benfica and United's standing in Group C...) "It was a disappointing one because we'd done so well to get ahead even though it was a difficult game. To concede straight away was gutting and we've given ourselves work to do in Switzerland now. It's been close in the group and you can see a lot of teams vying for top spot but hopefully we can do the job in Switzerland. Whoever you get in the next stage is a tough game anyway and you've got to beat them along the way. We just need to make sure we're there. Last year was one journey and hopefully this one can go on just as long. We have lots of games beforehand and, when that week comes, all out attention will go towards that Basel game. I think United always usually qualify and I don't see us not qualifying."
(On his return from injury and United's upcoming match versus Newcastle...) "We've kept a lot of clean sheets recently so it's unfortunate but hopefully we'll get back on track on Saturday. It's been frustrating being out but the lads have done really well. I hoped I could come back and play my part. It was only a brief cameo but there's lots of games over the Christmas period and hopefully I'll be in with a shout. Newcastle have been flying this season so it's good we can play them at home and hopefully get the win. I'll train as normal tomorrow and be ready for Saturday."