Man United begin their quest for European supremacy this midweek against a resilient opposition at the daunting Estadia da Luz in Portugal. Benfica and United square off once again after more than 5 years in a bid to lay down the marker in this season’s European Cup. Over the decades, these two proud clubs have battled it out on the continent in many memorable encounters. For legion of Red Devils around the globe the thought of facing the Portuguese giants brings a wide variety of emotions owing to the historical clashes between the two heavyweights.
The Old Trafford club have celebrated probably their finest hour on the European front against Sport Lisboa Benfica. Just over four decades ago, Matt Busby lead United side reached the promised land and in the process became the first English club to win the erstwhile European cup. Back in 2005 though, Benfica extracted some revenge as they relegated Sir Alex’s men out of Europe in the group stage for the first time in their illustrious history.
Let’s relive some of those historic clashes between Benfica and Man United with an eye on the significance of those duels in the history of the Old Trafford club. Some of these games redefined United’s outlook and shaped the future like never before.
1968 European Cup Final – Wembley
Sir Matt Busby, the architect of Man United’s glorious history, was the pied piper of the Red Army that finally laid its hands on the most coveted trophy 10 years on from the catastrophic Munich tragedy. The Busby Babes were supposed to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford and pave the way for an era of Man United dominance. However, disaster struck this Manchester Club in the form of an airplane crash and the Busby babes were lost somewhere in the annals of history. Eight ‘Babes’ died in the traumatic crash including the legendary Duncan Edwards, the club was drowned in a sea of sorrow and despair and there seemed no light at the end of the tunnel.
Thankfully Sir Matt survived and the Scot set on a crusade of rebuilding the club from its ashes. Sir Bobby, one of the survivors and the leading lights of world football joined forces and Man United were back on the footballing map. After sweeping past the mighty Real Madrid side in the Semi Finals in a memorable way; Man United were up against another European powerhouse in Benfica. The Holy trinity of Charlton, Best and Law were broken up as the Lawman was forced out through a knee injury. It was billed as the clash between two of the greatest footballers of their generation – Portuguese wonder Eusebio and Man United’s very own George Best.
Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes were the only two survivors from the Munich air crash that played in United’s team. Alex Stepney, Shay Brennan, Tony Dunne, Paddy Crerand, Bill Foulkes, Nobby Stiles, George Best, Brian Kidd, Bobby Charlton, David Sadler, John Aston are now a part of United folklore and etched in the memory of generations of Red Devil faithful.
United had to play in the untraditional blue kit as Benfica wore Red as the game started in a flurry of fouls with both teams trying to stamp their authority over the game. With the teams tied at half time, Mat Busby’s half time pep talk did the trick as a revitalized United side took the lead 8 minutes into the second half, via the iconic –Bobby Charlton. The England midfield maestro produced a memorable headed finish that left Jose Henrique clueless and the 100,000 in capacity went berserk.
However there was an inevitable twist in the tale, with only 10 minutes left to go, Benfica scored the equalizer – and very nearly won the match when their feared striker Eusebio broke away from Nobby Stiles. However luck seemed to favor the Red Devils as the great Eusebio also known as the Black Panther shot straight at the grateful Alex Stepney.
That was the fillip United needed as the game went into Extra Time. Busby’s team rose to the occasion and as the Portuguese tired, United gained in strength. ‘El Beetle’ George Best gave United the lead once again, rounding the keeper and putting the ball in the back of the net, a moment that has been played over and over again to the delight of every Red Devil. 19-Year-old birthday boy Brian Kidd added the third and as destiny would have it inspirational captain Bobby Charlton rounded off the scoring with his second of the game as United were crowned the Champions of Europe for the first time in their history.
Ten years from the horrific Tragedy, Sir Matt had done the unthinkable. An emotional Busby was quoted:
“They’ve done us proud. They came back with all their hearts to show everyone what Manchester United are made of. This is the most wonderful thing that has happened in my life and I am the proudest man in England tonight.”
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2005 UCL Group Stage -Estadia da Luz
Chelsea had risen on the domestic front after some cash injection by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, while United were in bit of a lull. After finishing third in the previous league campaign, the Red Devils had to go through the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. 3-0 victories both home and away against Debreceni ensured their presence in the group stage. Sir Alex’s team were drawn in a group including the likes of Villarreal, Lille and of course Benfica.
Everyone at the club expected a tough battle but no one had ever imagined the nightmare that it turned out to be eventually. After five rounds of games, United had 6 points on the board, tied second with Lille with Villarreal on top just a point ahead. Benfica where rock bottom, although just a single point behind United. Fortunately for the Portuguese club, the game was at their home while United hadn’t been traveling well in Europe for a number of years now. Winner takes it all on the day in a group where goal scoring had been on a premium, 8 in total from the 10 games.
The club of the stature of Manchester United couldn’t afford to bow at this nascent stage of the competition but they knew their task was cut out as a capacity crowd cheered on the home side. The Ferguson-lead side lined up in a very attacking 4-4-2 with Rooney and Van Nistelrooy upfront. Scholes and Smith were flanked by Giggs and Ronaldo as Fergie threw caution to the wind early on.
The Scot looked to have got it right as United took the lead via Paul Scholes. Giggs played in Gary Neville on the right wing who delivered a low cross into the Portuguese box. Scholes rushed in and despite fumbling what looked like an easy tap in, somehow managed to poke the ball over the line. Red Devils in the away section went ballistic as United looked to be heading towards the knock out stage.
However, their joy was short lived as Rudd Van Nistelrooy lost the ball on the half way line, Benfica surged forward, Brazilian Geovani passed to the right wing and rushed into the box where his diving header met an inch perfect cross from Nelsen. Benfica went level and threatened to derail United’s European campaign. They did the unthinkable scoring again just after the half an hour mark and sent shock waves through the Red half of Manchester. Ferguson’s United couldn’t for once come back, the fire seemed missing as they lacked ideas and according to a few notable pundits Ferguson had lost the plot.
The press had a field day the next morning churning out obituaries of the demise of the Old Trafford Empire. A very prominent daily was quoted saying:
There will be a reckoning that takes place in private and it is likely to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure at Manchester United terminated at the close of the season. The immediate financial loss inflicted by this defeat is impossible to reckon since United, for all we know, might have been eliminated in the last 16, but the trend is all wrong for the Glazers if they intend to raise turnover from £161m to £245m by 2010. Dispensing with Ferguson might be an easy decision, but the owners will have to dig painfully deep if they are to acquire the footballers who can restore United and boost the profit margin.
Ronald Koeman’s men taught United a big lesson that night and Ferguson isn’t the one not to take note.
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2006 UCL Group Stage -Estadia da Luz
As fate would have it, Ferguson got an opportunity to redeem his United side the very next year. Man United drew Benfica yet again in the group stage along with Celtic and Danish opposition Copenhagen. Had Fergie taken note and addressed the failings of last campaign or would the traumatic night in Portugal come back to haunt them yet again? After winning the opening game of the group stage against Celtic at Old Trafford, Red Devils made the inevitable trip to Portugal with the eyes of critic firmly on them and the hopes of millions of fans driving them forward.
Over the years, Ferguson’s overtly attacking approach in Europe had come under some criticism as United had time and again failed on the European front. Especially away from the comforts of Old Trafford, there was perhaps room for a more measured, cagey, European approach. Ferguson finally decided to alter his thinking a bit and that was the beginning of United’s renaissance on the continent.
Ferguson dug deep in the transfer market and came out with gems like Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra to bolster his defense for an onslaught on the most coveted European Cup. Michael Carrick was also brought in to help steady United’s play and provide cover for the more attack-minded players. Both Carrick and Vidic started this game as United turned to a more measured 4-5-1 in favour of the customary 4-4-2.
O’Shea anchored the midfield behind Carrick and Scholes, with Rooney and Ronaldo either side of Saha. The game wasn’t a classic of any sorts both teams lacked the cutting edge. Ferguson however had set up his team just to do that. Blunting the opposition was paramount and may be nicking a goal on the break. Saha did just as he smashed United into the lead with a moment of inspiration and sublime skill. Saha struck with a rising angled drive on the hour to give United their first away win in the Champions League for nearly three years.
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United looked calm and composed after the goal and killed the game off by playing at their tempo, and never really rushed into action. Ferguson made a double substitution to protect United’s lead, sending on Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith for Rooney and Saha.
That was perhaps the night many felt that Fergie cracked the European code in its entirety. He had won the Treble in 99 with a group of highly gifted individuals playing in their own swashbuckling way. But now the time had come to adapt, one of the best and most endearing qualities of the wily Scotsman is his ability to adapt and evolve with changing times.
Since then the Old Trafford club has been a different animal on the continent with three finals appearance, winning it once. Ferguson now plays horses for courses on the European front; caution mixed with aggression, he has learned is the mantra for success in Europe.