Hapless Svilar helps MU to brink of last 16

MANCHESTER, Uni t ed Kingdom: Manchester United closed to the brink of the Champions League knockout phase after more inadvertent generosity from Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar helped them to a 2- 0 victory.

Having carried a Marcus Rashford free-kick into his own net to gift United victory in the reverse fixture, 18-year- old Svilar scored an unwitting own goal when Nemanja Matic’s shot hit the post and went in off his arm.

Daley Blind’s 78th- minute penalty completed victory, but with CSKA Moscow beating Basel in the other Group A game, United were left needing one point from their final two games to be certain of a last 16 berth.

“We must get that point from the two remaining matches,” United manager Jose Mourinho told BT Sport.

“I am more than happy. We scored two goals, did not concede, gained three more points, more money for the club because every victory means money and did not have any significant injuries.”

Belgian youth international Svilar for one will be glad to see the back of United, particularly after he appeared to have atoned for his blunder in Lisbon two weeks ago by saving a penalty from Anthony Martial.

Rui Vitoria’s Benfica remain bottom of the group with no points after their fifth successive European defeat – the worst run in the club’s history – and have only a paper-thin chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

“My team showed g reat personality. We played against one of the best teams in Europe,” said Vitoria.

“There are still two games to play. With six points, you can go to the Europa League, stay in the Champions League or get nothing.” — AFP