Paradise Lost: Manchester United 2 – Benfica 2

photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/35854555@N04/3569837488	via PhotoRee

Manchester United were forced to face Benfica at home without their talisman Wayne Rooney yesterday, so it was Dimitar Berbatov leading the line, as Nani and the-just-returned-from-injury Ashley Young partnered with the Bulgarian to provide offense in Tuesday's Champions League face off.  At the back, it was Phil Jones pairing with Rio Ferdinand in Nemanja Vidic' absence, attempting to keep the Portuguese out of the net.  Benfica entered the game unbeaten this season, with the current streak at 20 games entering the contest.

Jones figured prominently in early going, with his own goal gifting Benfica the lead — definitely not the kind of welcome United were envisioning when the game plan was designed. Within five minutes, the English champs were down 1-0, the first goal the team had allowed in six games, on truly the first attack of the day from the visitors.  Once again, it was the midfield that was exposed, with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher unable to cover all of the Portuguese players who came flooding into the center of the pitch.

Benfica's obvious game plan was to hit the Reds hard and often, in an attempt to unsettle the home side and slow the game down, nullifying whatever movement or momentum the Reds had — and it appeared to work, with the Reds seeming unusually jjittery at Old Trafford. Teams seem to be coming into the Theater of Dreams this season with a different mindset, a reminder that United appear more vulnerable — especially mentally — than they have in seasons past.

Nani gave Benfica the most trouble in the game's opening half hour, dribbling through the Portuguese side almost at will, but he was also responsible for repeatedly giving the ball away.  Although United had significantly more of the possession at 60/40, they were unsuccessful in their attempts to create quality scoring chances, failing to test the Benfica 'keeper in the games first half hour.
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