Marcus Rashford profits from goalkeeper howler as Manchester United beat Benfica

A terrible error from Mile Svilar, the 18-year-old who is now the Champions League’s youngest ever goalkeeper, was enough to decide a poor contest. United now have a maximum nine points from their three games, and will surely take their place in the knockout stages as group winners.

More or less nothing happened in the first half save Luisao's booking, relevant only in retrospect. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who had another especially poor night, lashed their best chance high and wide, while Benfica failed to test David De Gea.

Marcus Rashford looked United's most likely spark, and he drilled a series of corners flat under the bar to test Svilar, playing only his second senior match. And he did not cope well, generally opting to punch clear at the last second from under the bar. Then, on 65 minutes, United won a free-kick close to the right touchline, 25 yards out, and Rashford again went for goal. Again, Svilar back-peddled and caught as late as possible, but he had already wandered well over his line.

Benfica created very little in the remaining 25 minutes, Anthony Martial, on for the injured Rashford, coming closest to scoring. Then, in the final seconds, Luisao lunged into a challenge with Scott Mctominay for no apparent reason, clattered him, and was sent-off. It was a better finish than the game deserved.

Were United suffering from how they played at Anfield? There are lots of moving parts in a football team - momentum is hard to find and easy to lose. There are doubtless other reasons as to why United were so poor tonight - no Pogba, no Fellaini, no pressure on the game - but it is hard to think that their approach against Liverpool did them any favours.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Easily the best attacking player on show and scored the winning goal. Bad though the error was, his delivery for almost every set-piece was close to perfect.

Benfica: Svilar 4, Douglas 5, Ruben Dias 6, Luisao 5, Grimaldo 6, Fejsa 5, Filipe Augusto 6, Pizzi 4, Salvio 4, Diogo Goncalves 4, Raul 4. Subs: Zivkovic 6, Jonas 6, Cervi 6.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Valencia 6, Smalling 7, Lindelof 6, Blind 5, Matic 6, Herrera 5, Mkhitaryan 4, Mata 5, Lukaku 5, Rashford 7. Subs: Martial 6, Lingard 6, Mctominay 6.

15’ - Lovely from Benfica, Diogo beating Mata and feeding Grimaldo who crossed low and hard. Running towards the near post, Salvio arrived ahead of Blind, but the defender's presence meant he could only crack wide. Perhaps he might've run over the ball, given Pizzi behind him, but I'm not sure Blind wouldn't have got in the way.

32’ - BT's coverage keeps jumping, but I get to see Blind whipping in a cross for Rashford, which he can't get over and bumps over the top. That's United's highlight of the half.

42’ - And suddenly United have a break! Mkhitaryan bursts towards the box, right-hand side, but with men in the middle, opts to slash a shot high and wide. He is having an absolute mare.

65’ - GOAL! Benfica 0-1 Manchester United (Rashford) Oh dear. Rashford goes for goal and again Svilar leaves it until the last minute to intervene, retreating and catching the ball once it was already over the line. But commend Rashford's delivery, on the money pretty much every time. There's nothing as sad/hilarious as the crushing of youthful dreams.

79’ - Nice from United, Valencia charging down the right, checking, and finding Lukaku, who sets Martial at Douglas. He breezes past him with humiliating ease and tries to squeeze his shot inside the near post, but Svilar saves. Unfortunately for him, he now needs to face a corner, but Blind trots over to offer an outswinger - dear oh dear - and nothing comes of it.

84’ - Benfica win a corner down the left, and an outswinger picks out Ruben Dias, level with the near post and eight yards out. He might stoop to head, but instead leaps to instep, forced to open his body at the same time, and he can only steer wide.

90+2’ - Luisao is sent-off! Lukaku attacks the Benfica defence, could pass, should pass, doesn't; he loses possession bursting between Luisao and Ruben Dias, McTominay runs onto the loose ball, and Luisao lunges for no reason, receiving his second booking. Silly behaviours.