Jose Mourinho insisted there was “no drama” over his decision to snub Romelu Lukaku the opportunity to end his barren run, as the £75m striker endured a sixth game without a goal. Lukaku has now gone 477 minutes without scoring and was prevented from taking a penalty by Mourinho late in the game, with defender Daley Blind scoring from the spot. Mourinho appeared to make another yapping gesture to supporters after Blind’s penalty United’s second of the game – and later admitted he over-ruled both Lukaku and midfielder Ander Herrera.
Anthony Martial had taken United’s first penalty, which was saved by Benfica’s teenage goalkeeper Mile Svilar, but the winger was off the field when the second spot kick was awarded. In a curt post-match press conference, Mourinho said: “I do not see the drama, and the players respect my decision – end of story. “Romelu had the personality to take the penalty but my decision was based on training and I try to make the right ones.
“Anthony Martial was the player to take penalties. He took it and missed, he was not on the pitch for the second one. The players were happy to take the responsibility, Romelu Lukaku and Ander Herrera but my choice was Daley Blind. That is my decision.
“We train, I analyse, I try to make the right decisions. Martial did not miss one and was taking them in training against three good goalkeepers, sometimes the choice is not the right one. Daley was my decision in the moment.” Mourinho also appeared to criticise United’s supporters in his programme notes, barely 24 hours after insisting Lukaku was “untouchable”.
Towards the end of the notes, he wrote: “I hope you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Spurs.” It was a jaded and flat atmosphere at Old Trafford, with substitute Marcus Rashford providing the one moment of entertainment with a superb run which was ended for the second penalty. United’s victory leaves them on the brink of qualification for the Champions League, with only a point needed from their remaining two games against FC Basel and CSKA Moscow.
And Mourinho seemed to aim a sarcastic dig at predecessor Louis Van Gaal after United’s last wretched experience of the competition when they failed to reach the knockout stage. “What I know is we want to win the maximum points, we didn’t qualify yet, so we are going to try to win the next two matches and finish with 18 points,” he said. “The last time United was in the Champions League they finished third and went out so it would be nice to do it and we will try.” There was a debut for 20-year-old midfielder Scott McTominay, who said: “As a young boy growing up, you dream of playing in the Champions League for Manchester United. “All those years growing up in the academy, watching the first-team players, I am made up.”
United’s next game will see them travel to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League clash with Chelsea this Sunday.
Source: Telegraph
