Manchester United maintain their 100% record in Europe
On a night where quality took a backseat, Manchester United were forced to grind out a 1-0 win over a Benfica side that was very passive in their pressure on the English side, but solid when the visitors neared their goalline. In the end, it took a huge mistake from debutant Mile Svilar, who is now the Champions League’s youngest ever goalkeeper. Benfica’s youngster came for a Marcus Rashford free-kick but then decided to retreat to his line as he caught the ball, thus taking it over his own line. It was a comical error and one that left Svilar and Benfica on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline.
Jose Mourinho questions other managers
Manchester United recorded their ninth clean sheet of the season in their 1-0 win over Benfica, which has led some to bemoan their defensive style. However, Mourinho questioned this stance as he said: “Not that I read it a lot, but sometimes when I read the press – not only English but Portuguese – I feel that sometimes defending properly it is seen as a crime. But it is not”, and he said when asked about the way people perceive United: “You know, with other managers, with other players, I’m pretty sure that yes (they get an easier ride) but that’s not the problem for us”.
Mourinho claims other managers “cry” about injuries
The Premier League is such a combative and fast-moving league that injuries are part and parcel of life in England. Perhaps the most injury prone team in England remains Arsenal, but Manchester United are not far behind. While they have had their problems this year, Mourinho says that he does not like to talk about his injuries. He told Sky Sports: “And there is another situation, maybe I’m guilty of it: I never speak about injuries. Other managers, they cry, they cry, they cry when some player is injured. I don’t cry. I think the way to do it is to ignore the players that are injured, is to focus on the players that are available. It is to give confidence to the players that are available. But if I want to moan and cry like the others, I can cry for the next five minutes”. Mourinho was without key midfielders Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini for their clash on Wednesday, while the likes of Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are still missing from long-term injuries. Perhaps his statement was prompted by Marcus Rashford having to be withdrawn from the field early after he suffered an injury in their win over Benfica.