10 things we learned in the 2-0 win over Benfica

Match Day Pundit
Nov 1, 2017
2 min read

Manchester United cruised to earn 12/12 points in Champions League groups stages with a 2-0 win over Benfica. Here are 10 things we learned from that game. 1. Despite missing his shot at goal, Anthony Martial was brilliant in the whole game. So, now we can start saying, "Anthony Martial tearing down the wings..." If you know that chant, bet you're singing along.

2. Nemanja Matic's chance was no chance but the impact of hard work, football resilience and being the top of his game. This guy is the real deal, our best player by far this season. 3. Okay, so Eric Bailly had a bad day, a very bad day - but it does not matter the day you have because when David De Gea is at the goal, he saves. How many clean sheets are these now? This guy is on fire. 4. We miss Pogba. When will he come back? But...

5. Scott McTominay gets top marks for his hard work and performance last night. He made safe choices with lots of square balls, but unlike some newbies, he was methodical as his position needs to be. Well done. 6. Speaking of methodical, can we send Daley Blind a cold drink today?! I love Blind. He's the perfect mix of intelligence and power and he showed it at the spot. 7. Lukaku's run of a bad spell was compounded by Mourinho's implicit instructions to have Blind take that penalty. I don't know what I felt... first, I was begin to get drowsy, then the drama of Herrera then Blind and this woke me up because WHAT DOES IT MEAN?! 8. Speaking of meaning, why are we having so many misses at the front of goal? Right there, the ball comes and then... it just does not go in, and it's not just Lukaku who slowly indoctrinated us to his scoring ratios early one. It was also Mata, Herrera and even Rashford plus Martial. Twice! I don't remember if Lingard tried, but Lingard always tries and it so ... Aaaaaaargh, I want the goals to rain. 9. But if we can't score more, then let's just settle for winning. No matter how bad it looks, I admit I am getting the method to Mourinho's madness, and if we can perform like this with a limp and makeshift midfield... let's celebrate 3 points. I think we got spoilt by the many goals early on. 10. Speaking of celebrations, that Champions League song gets to me. I love it. #TheChampions --- Do you think we can win the Champions League this season? And in a less weighty question, what else did you learn from last night?