Depleted Man U side earns Champions win
MAN. UNITED 2 BENFICA 1 Late marker by Van Nistelrooy ends winless streak
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND •
Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped Manchester United would make a point about determination and ambition last night against Benfica, following criticism of its recent travails, and gloriously the team made three. Just when United appeared heading for a disappointing draw, Ruud van Nistelrooy poached the winner to make the score 2- 1 with six minutes remaining.
Van Nistelrooy’s scoring record in Europe is remarkable, 38 goals in 43 appearances for United, and few can have been more welcome. Whatever the Dutchman may think of a tactical system that leaves him as a lone striker, he showed his finisher’s touch when it counted. He also struck the bar with a marvellous first- half effort.
Unlike against Blackburn in Premiership play on Saturday, no cries of “4-4- 2’’ emerged from the terraces and the United fans appeared keen to voice their support for Ferguson. A chant of “ Stand up if you love Fergie’’ soon had most of the ground on their feet.
So despite some poor passing that threatened to cost them dearly, United eventually made light of the absence of so many regulars. United’s work ethic was terrific. Ryan Giggs was always lively on his 100th European display.
United had needed to negotiate some nervy moments before Giggs’ 39th-minute strike eased some fevered brows, although the tension increased when Simao brilliantly equalized to make for a frantic final half-hour of this compelling game.
In the early stages, it had been the piston-like movement of Benfica’s forwards, Nuno Gomes and the outstanding Fabrizio Miccoli, that had alarmed United’s centreRio Ferdinand and John O’Shea. Miccoli, seizing on an O’Shea slip, fired wide before Edwin van der Sar pulled off a marvellous save to deny Ricardo Rocha.
Lacking the sergeant-major presences of the injured Roy Keane and Gary Neville, United appeared badly short of leaders. Gradually, though, Alan Smith began to impose himself on central midfield, allowing Paul Scholes to stay further forward in Ferguson’s 4- 2- 3- 1 system.
Snapping into one 15thminute challenge, Smith transferred the ball wide to Phil Bardsley, one of six home-grown players gracing the red ranks. Bardsley, employed at right-back with O’Shea covering for the injured Mikael Silvestre in the middle, looked far from in awe of such a grand European occasion.
Controlling Smith’s pass, Bardsley lifted the ball towards the edge of the area. It sailed slightly behind Van Nistelrooy, but good players can turn average passes into richly promising ones. Taming the ball and turning in one movement, Van Nistelrooy then volleyed it goalwards, only to be thwarted by the bar.
In the 39th minute, Ronaldo embarked on a dribble that utterly bemused Benfica. Having exhausted all legal means to dispossess Ronaldo, Ronald Koeman’s players resorted to the dark arts. Pressured excessively by Ricardo Rocha, Ronaldo was eventually sent flying by the Brazilian left- back, Leo.
The distance appeared slightly too far for Giggs, stretching away almost 30 yards from Jose Moreira’s goal. But as Koeman once infamously proved to England, technically gifted individuals can inject real life into a dead ball. Giggs struck the ball cleanly enough, sending it curling toward the wall where it caught Simao and diverted past Moreira.
Relief rolled in waves around the Theatre of Dreams. Ferguson was out of his seat, saluting the goal as Giggs was mobbed by his ecstatic colleagues. The feeling of joy, that all was well in Ferguson’s kingdom was tempered just before the hour mark.
The wound was largely self-inflicted, Smith making an unnecessary and late challenge on Miccoli. Deservedly cautioned, Smith immediately retreated to help form a wall. Such a human blockade was swiftly made embarrassingly redundant. Simao’s freekick, curled over the wall and away from the stranded Van der Sar, was magnificent.
Back came United, Ronaldo leading the charge and drawing an exceptional save from Moreira.
As in the first half, another setpiece elicited sweet relief for United six minutes from time. Giggs’ outswinging corner from the right was met firmly by the
head of Ferdinand, the ball
deflecting into Van
Nistelrooy’s path.
The master poacher
made no mistake
from close range.