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Talking points from Man Utd's Champions League win at Benfica

Antonio Valencia challenges Diogo Antonio Cupido Goncalves
Image: Manchester United dominated possession against Benfica

Manchester United profited from a goalkeeping howler to win 1-0 in Benfica and strengthen their Champions League group-stage qualifying hopes.

Jose Mourinho's men are now top of Group A after another efficient performance.

Here, we take a look at the talking points from the game…

United's bizarre winner

Mile Svilar, the Benfica 18-year-old who became the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League game on Wednesday, won't forget his debut in the competition anytime soon. He won't be allowed to, with Manchester United's bizarre winner likely to be replayed on blooper reels for years to come.

Svilar's howler from Rashford's free-kick gifted United the lead
Image: Mile Svilar carried Marcus Rashford's free-kick over the line

Svilar's first touch in the Champions League was a diving headed clearance outside his box and he drew attention throughout the game with his eagerness to rush out of his area before defending a string of Marcus Rashford corners in an increasingly eccentric manner.

However, the Belgian was left red-faced when the England international caught him out with a free-kick from all of 40 yards from goal. Rashford's deep, whipped ball into the box forced Svilar to back-track and he ended up carrying the ball over his own goal line.

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Romelu Lukaku did his best to try to console his compatriot after the game, but Svilar won't look back on his Champions League bow with fondness.

United take control of Group A

Five days after drawing criticism for their approach to the goalless draw at Liverpool on Saturday, United laboured before the opener, managing to test Benfica's novice goalkeeper with just two shots on target before the goal.

Champions League Group A

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Pts
Man Utd 3 3 0 0 9
Basel 3 2 0 1 6
CSKA Moscow 3 1 0 2 3
Benfica 3 0 0 3 0

The Portuguese side had been hammered 5-0 by Basel in their previous Champions League game but, although United had 64 per cent of possession against their out-of-form opponents, clear-cut chances were few and far between.

That will concern Jose Mourinho little, though. Just as at Anfield on Saturday, his side earned a satisfactory result which has put them well on course for qualification from Group A. At the halfway stage of this phase, they're three points clear of second-placed Basel and another three ahead of CSKA Moscow. The last-16 beckons.

If you're a Manchester United fan, you'll be thinking: 'I didn't enjoy watching that', but it's a great result away from home.
Alan McInally

"It wasn't the greatest performance ever by Manchester United. But they defended well, and the bottom line is the result," Alan McInally told Sky Sports News. "If you're a Manchester United fan, you'll be thinking: 'I didn't enjoy watching that', but it's a great result away from home."

Rashford adds to injury problems

The one downside for United will be the injury sustained by Rashford. The 19-year-old had been United's most lively attacker, tormenting right-back Douglas and hitting the target with three of his four efforts, but was forced off on 75 minutes.

Marcus Rashford takes on Douglas in the first half
Image: Rashford impressed before limping off late on

The forward will head into a busy treatment room when he returns to United's Carrington training ground, with Marouane Fellaini, Eric Bailly, Michael Carrick, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo all currently injured.

United are back in action at 3pm on Saturday with a trip to Huddersfield in the Premier League, where Mourinho will have to tinker with his line-up once more.

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