Manchester United are on the verge of securing a place in the Round of 16 after earning a hard-fought 2-0 win over Benfica on Tuesday
The hosts enjoyed a slice of luck to grab the lead in the match as Nemanja Matic’s fierce long-range effort rebounded off the post before ricocheting off a helpless Mile Svilar. That came after the Belgian goalkeeper produced a smart save from Anthony Martial’s penalty to keep his side in the game.
The visitors stood toe to toe with Jose Mourinho’s men for much of the game, and even came close to scoring, but were denied by David De Gea or his goal post on three occasions. The game, though, was put to bed in the 78th minute, when Daley Blind did what Martial was unable to, and converted from the spot.
David De Gea was the saviour for Manchester United fans as he produced two magnificent saves to keep his side in the lead, before going on to keep a well earned clean sheet.
David de Gea’s world class save! #DaveSaves
— United Report (@ManUtdReport_) October 31, 2017
De Gea hasn’t conceded a goal at Old Trafford for 7 months! Lol
— Danny Ellis (@DannyEllis_7) October 31, 2017
Don’t know what these Benfica players are trying when taking shots from distance at De Gea, it won’t work
— José (@MourinhoMindset) October 31, 2017
Me, when opposition players try shooting at De Gea from outside the box. pic.twitter.com/5dRd1AH0oD
— Tola. (@LordDreyy) October 31, 2017
De Gea has spoilt United fans. We’ve seen world class saves so much that we now take them as ordinary
— Tega (@Tegaski) October 31, 2017
? ? Clean Sheets In their last 50 matches…
– De Gea: 26
– Neuer: 25
– Buffon: 23
The best in the world#MUNBEN pic.twitter.com/BklTyJIdNN
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) October 31, 2017
De Gea with another cracking save! Not been super busy but made two world class saves when needed#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) October 31, 2017
De Gea is the best goalkeeper to ever live. /debate
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) October 31, 2017
What a save from De Gea. Right now. The best keeper in the world
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) October 31, 2017
David de Gea 2017/18 so far…
Games: 14
Clean Sheets 10
Best in the World!#DaveSaves #MUFC pic.twitter.com/CQg2LYt0Dz— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) October 29, 2017
Meanwhile, there were words of support for Mile Svilar, who was fantastic on the night, but had another unfortunate moment against Manchester United when the ball bounced off him into his own goal.
Feel sorry for 18-year-old Mile Svilar. Walks the ball into the net from Rashford’s free-kick and now scores an own goal. Must hate United.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) October 31, 2017
The Champions League career of Mile Svilar:
Error vs. Man Utd
Saves a penalty vs. Man Utd
Own goal vs. Man UtdCan’t catch a break. pic.twitter.com/ry5vF7GqMO
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) October 31, 2017
15′ Youngest keeper ever to save a penalty in UCL
45′ Youngest keeper ever to score an own goal in UCL
Bad Luck Svilar pic.twitter.com/nqbgftVVJq
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) October 31, 2017
Absolutely brutal for Svilar???
Not done much wrong again, but another OG!?#MUFC pic.twitter.com/idKRVS6NQY
— FUTtalk (@FUT__talk) October 31, 2017
Starting to feel sorry for Svilar now… ⚽️⚽️
— Ken Frampton (@kframpton) October 31, 2017
But, Manchester United fans were left impressed by the display of Scott McTominay, who enjoyed a fine full Champions League debut on the night.
McTominay is literally Darren Fletcher reincarnated. Great at mopping up, just enough technique, loads of energy, confusing overall attribute
— All For United (@allforunited) October 31, 2017
Shoutout to McTominay who had a very good 90 minutes today. Not spectacular but solid, tidy, aggressive and composed. #MatchDayDoc
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) October 31, 2017
McTominay doing well when you consider he’s only played around 50 games at any level in past 5 years, quite a few of which were as a striker
— jb8521 (@jb_8521) October 31, 2017
I’d honestly play McTominay against Chelsea
— Matty (@utdmt) October 31, 2017