MOURINHO'S VERDICT ON VICTORY OVER BENFICA
Jose Mourinho was delighted with his players as Manchester United beat Benfica on Tuesday night to take a step closer to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The Reds' 100 per cent record in Group A was extended as an own goal by Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar and Daley Blind’s second-half penalty gave Jose Mourinho’s men a 2-0 victory over the Portuguese champions at Old Trafford.
It means United, who have won the first four games in the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2012/13, need one more point from the final two games to mathematically assure a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition.
QUALIFICATION IN SIGHT
“We don’t qualify yet, not yet. Four victories and it’s not enough, so we must get that point. Two matches, we must get that one.”
UNITED’S PERFORMANCE
“It’s better for the specialists to comment on the game than for me to give my opinion. I’m paid to work and to do my best, which I do every day and the specialists are paid to comment [on] my work so let them comment.”
SATISFIED WITH EVENING’S WORK
“I’m more than happy. We change a lot of players, we broke the natural dynamic of the team and the routines of the team. We played a kid from the Academy [Scott McTominay]. We scored two goals, we didn’t concede. Three more points, 12 [points overall in Group A]. It’s more money for the club because every victory means money. No significant injuries, just something in Jesse’s back but nothing important. I’m more than happy.”
WHAT PLEASED YOU?
“Everything. The points, the clean sheet, the dynamic and it was a difficult dynamic because we broke that dynamic in these routines. We broke the stability by changing so many players. It was six [changes]. I’m happy with an Academy kid to play 90 minutes in a Champions League match. I’m happy we almost qualified but I’m quite a bit disappointed we are not yet [qualified]. I’m happy after four matches away, then two difficult [home] ones against Tottenham and Benfica and two victories.”
MCTOMINAY'S FIRST EUROPEAN START
"Scott? Even more fantastic with a manager who never gives a chance to a young guy! In Chelsea, [I selected] the youngest player ever to play in the Champions League, I think, in Dominic Solanke. Again, with a manager who never gives a chance to young guys. I’m very happy for Scott, [he has] great stability and great personality.”
TWO PENALTIES, COULD HAVE BEEN THREE
"I think they [Martial and Rashford] won the penalties but I think it’s not the right word. The defenders had to make the penalties. They had no other choice and probably there [should have been] a third penalty on Mata. But the important thing is it’s four victories and 12 points and we are almost there.”
PENALTY TAKERS EXPLAINED
"Martial took [the first one], he missed. He was not even on the pitch [for the second one] and then the players were happy to take the responsibility. Romelu [Lukaku] was happy to do it, [Ander] Herrera the same but my choice was Blind and it was my decision. We train, I analyse, I try to make the right decision. In the last days, Martial didn’t miss one and he was taking so many against three good goalkeepers and he missed, so sometimes the choice is the wrong one but then I wanted Daley and it was my decision in the moment.”
MORE SYMPATHY FOR SVILAR
"It’s not a mistake. If he doesn’t dive, it’s not a goal. No, he dived and the ball hits him and it’s football. But, again, for a kid of 18 to come to Old Trafford and perform the way he did shows a big personality. He’s just a kid of 18 years of age."
CREDIT TO BENFICA
“They played a good game, it was difficult for us and Benfica. We had some possession and I had to change Mata for Herrera. The game was quite balanced and stretched, so I had to change on the left as well. The opposition made the game difficult, but we got the win.”
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