BLIND THE SPOT HERO AS UNITED MARCH ON

But Jose’s Lukaku snub mars win

ROMELU LUkakU woke up yesterday to learn he had been labelled ‘ untouchable’ by Jose Mourinho. By the time he went to bed he had learned that his manager does not currently trust him to take a penalty kick.

Such a mishmash of messages probably sums up life at Mourinho’s United at the moment.

In terms of results, there should be few complaints. United are second in the Premier League, as good as in the knockout stages of the Champions League and unbeaten at Old Trafford in 38 games. But on the edges of Mourinho’s world, there would appear to be some issues.

at the weekend the United manager’s problems seemed to be with the crowd after what was actually a very good victory over Tottenham. In his programme notes last night, he underlined his point that he wants more backing.

and now, on the back of a routine if unspectacular win over Benfica, another hare is running, one that won’t stop until Lukaku scores again. The Belgian hasn’t done so for a month. That is hardly a crisis for a player who began the first season at his new club as though he would never stop scoring. But the words — and the now the actions — of his manager have ensured that Lukaku will head into Sunday’s Premier League game at Chelsea under the spotlight.

With United ahead by a single goal with just over 10 minutes to go last night, they were awarded a penalty after substitute Marcus Rashford’s slalom into the penalty area ended with him on the seat of his pants.

anthony Martial had already had one penalty saved by Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar in the first half and was no longer on the field anyway. So it seemed as though Lukaku was ready step up and take the responsibility until first ander Herrera and then, on the instructions of his manager, Daley Blind intervened.

Blind eventually drove the penalty down the middle and in doing so sealed the game but the whole episode was odd, especially when you consider that the left back had never taken a penalty for United.

as his team celebrated the goal, Mourinho looked upset on the touchline, shouting and making ‘talking’ gestures with his right hand. at full-time he made to stride purposefully on to the field but then altered course and headed for the tunnel.

History tells us that Mourinho often creates diversions and sideshows like this when something under the surface is bothering him. at this stage, nobody knows what it is.

after the game he conducted an interview that was strange even by his standards. He confirmed he wanted Blind to take the penalty and suggested he was happy another Champions League win had ‘made more money for the club’. In the TV studio, meanwhile, former United midfielder Paul Scholes claimed it was Mourinho’s fault that Lukaku was now under such pressure to score. Mourinho, for his part, had said already that ‘specialists’ in the media could continue to comment on ‘my work’.

So as Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford begins to follow the pattern of his stints at other clubs — most notably Chelsea and Real Madrid — followers of the club will hope only that his team have the wherewithal to not be distracted from what lies before them.

Despite all the noise, opportunity knocks for United.

They now face a Chelsea team no doubt rocked by last night’s mauling in Rome and have an opportunity not only to atone for the 4-0 defeat in west London that so upset Mourinho last winter but also knock the London team out of the title race for good.

Here a much- changed United team were recognisable in terms of their relatively modest football but also their resolve. Both are features of Mourinho’s time at the Manchester club.

There was a first Champions League start for Scott McTominay and the 20- year- old did well enough alongside Nemanja Matic at the base of the midfield. Elsewhere, Martial was a danger down the left but at times it was Benfica who played the football.

In the 14th minute young keeper Svilar saved Martial’s penalty comfortably and looked to have atoned for the moment in the game in Lisbon two weeks ago when he carried Rashford’s freekick into his own net for the decisive goal.

However just before half-time, Matic, who is a friend of the goalkeeper, struck a low shot against the post and the ball rebounded to strike Svilar on the back and roll over the line. So even on a night when he played well, the 18-yearold ended with an own goal against

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United’s aggregate score in the Champions League this season is currently 10-1. It’s an impressive stat and one that , for reasons only Mourinho will understand, will get hardly a mention between now and the weekend. MANCHESTER UTD (4-2-3-1): DE GEA 8;