Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho defends his tactics after they edge to dour win over Benfica
* Jose Mourinho took a swipe at those who question his Manchester United tactics
* United close to knockout stages of Champions League with victory at Benfica
* Mourinho also left sweating over a knee injury to scorer Marcus Rashford
Jose Mourinho took a swipe at those who question his tactics after Manchester United put one foot into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory at Benfica.
The Portuguese was criticised by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, among others, for a defensive mindset following a goalless draw between the fierce Premier League rivals at Anfield at the weekend.
Mourinho, who was left sweating over a knee injury to Marcus Rashford, believes focusing on the backline is crucial after watching his side move onto nine points after three Group A games in Europe's elite club competition.
Jose Mourinho took a swipe at those who question his tactics at Manchester United
He said: 'We were the team that was positive and we were always in control. I never felt that we could concede a goal, we were very solid defensively - sometimes I feel that to be good defensively is a crime but it is not a crime.
'To be good defensively is one step to get results. We knew the Benfica pressure could not stay for 90 minutes.
'The amazing defensive work Liverpool did against us, Benfica could not do that for the whole game. Without any pressure, we knew the goal would arrive.
'We have nine points, we are basically one point from qualifying and one victory away from winning the group. A good game, solid.'
Rashford scored the only goal in the 65th minute after catching out Benfica's 18-year-old goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who carried the ball over the line having been deceived by the England international's long-range free-kick.
He was substituted soon after and Mourinho added: 'I thought it was cramps, I thought it was a bit of fatigue, but no it was something he felt in his knee. I hope nothing too bad.'
Svilar replaced Real Madrid great Iker Casillas as the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League match.
Mourinho added: 'I knew how good the goalkeeper was, I told the players that. We had a little bit of a strategy, especially on set-pieces to make him uncomfortable. He risks a lot, but only top keepers do that. He was unlucky for the goal.'
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