Evening all. So far, Manchester United have made Group A look even more pipsqueak than it first seemed, and they can more or less seal qualification with a win tonight. as well as their own excellent form, things have gone so nicely because Benfica, seemingly the next best side, have contrived to lose to both Basel and CSKA Moscow. Given the absolute state of both of those, it's hard to see beyond an away win - but surely the home lot have to improve?

Champions League / Group Stage

Estádio da Luz / 18.10.2017

Benfica

Completed

Manchester United

M. Rashford(64')

Live

Live Updates

ByKevin Coulson

Updated 18/10/2017 at 20:42 GMT

All
Highlights

21:41

Thanks for your company - night night.

21:41

That was a very poor game indeed. United, though, have nine from nine and lead Group A; they're nearly into the knockouts.

21:40

Full-time: Benfica 0-1 Manchester United

90+5'

Lingard is booked for a foul I didn't quite see.

90+4'

Lukaku pastes the free-kick into Filipe Augusto's phizog, and he has a little sit down.

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.

90+1'

Scott McTominay comes on for his first Champions League appearance, replacing Mkhitaryan.

90'

There'll be four added minutes.

90'

United have had 73% possession; they've done remarkably little with it.

89'

Basel now lead CSKA 2-0; if United hang on here, this group is basically over.

88'

Long throw into the United box, and the ball bobbles between bodies, in the same timezone as Lukaku's arm. The crowd appeal for a penalty, and the ref ostentatiously waves play on.

87'

Another corner to Benfica, Cervi with it, and Smalling heads clear. Shortly afterwards, Cervi crosses again, and this time Herrera heads away.

86'

If Rashford's fit for Saturday, surely it'll have to be him and Martial from the start against Huddersfield. Mourinho clearly doesn't like playing both, but I've no idea why - Mata and Mkhitaryan are both luxury players, and a team can't really wear two of them.

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.

83'

Change apiece: Cervi replaces Salvio and Lingard replaces Mata. I'm amazed Mourinho didn't let the game restart then nick some time next time the ball went out.

82'

Zivkovic finds space to twizzle a cross around Matic, but Smalling waheys into a diving header, sending the ball away. Benfica bring it back, and Filipe Augusto tries a shot; it's deflected, and De Gea catches just on the goalline.

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.

78'

Benfica, who have offered even less in the second half, win a corner down the right. Lukaku heads it clear at the near post.

76'

Rashford's body language suggests that the injury isn't serious,. and anyhow it's Martial's go to start at the weekend.

75'

Rashford has hurt his leg and sits down, removing a shinguard. It doesn't look good, and off he limps. Martial replaces him.

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