Manchester United took on Benfica in their latest UEFA Champions League match at Old Trafford and produced a stunning half of European football against the Portuguese giants. Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a changed line up as
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 was given a rare start for Manchester United and Ashley Young played the Bulgarian target-man.
Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173
with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231 at left back.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-de-Gea-c10463 resumed his role as United’s first choice goalkeeper. On the other hand, Benfica went with an ambitious setup as their manager fielded his team in a 4-3-3 formation. Up front, Gaitán led Benfica’s attack as Aimar
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rodrigo-c31437 supported him whilst in midfield Cesar, Witsel and Garcia kept things together as they pressurized the likes of Carrick and Fletcher.
In defence, the away side depended on the experience of Luisao and Garay to limit United’s forays into their penalty area. The first half started off with a bang as Benfica made Manchester United uncomfortable at the back by attacking
them right from the start. This early pressure resulted in the first goal of the match as Benfica took the lead thanks to a mistake in United’s back line.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxi-Pereira-c25004 carried the ball forward but his cross was miss-controlled by Jones whose bad touch ended in the back of the Manchester United net as Benfica gained advantage through an own goal. United recovered from this shock in
due time as Carrick and Fletcher had their difficulties in central midfield. Benfica did well to put United under pressure but soon it was evident that the Red Devils were adamant on stretching the match and making things happen for them.
It was Luis Nani’s cross which paved way for Dimitar Berbatov’s header for Manchester United in the 30th minute as United scored their vital equalizer. The Red Devils had another brilliant goal scoring opportunity before
the half time whilst but Ashley Young was not able to finish off the chance that fell his way following a through ball by Berbatov. Nonetheless, the first half eventually ended in a stalemate between the two teams as the half time score lay at, 1-1.
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