VAN DER SAR: Vital early saves helped the young back four in front of him grow in stature rather than crumble - 7

BARDSLEY: The feisty full back was strong in the tackle and played some intelligent and dangerous balls into the box - 7

RICHARDSON: Went on some decent overlaps but seemed to get a touch panicky in the second half after equaliser - 6

FERDINAND: The `veteran' of the back four was a decent steadying influence at the heart of a Reds defence often under pressure - 6

O'SHEA: Early mistake when he let the ball roll underfoot and almost cost United but he put it behind him and improved - 6

RONALDO: Went for penetration rather than too many party tricks and it unsettled Benfica's defence - 7

SMITH: Never allowed the visitors to settle on the ball and had a very positive outlook towards getting forward - 8

FLETCHER: Busied himself well as usual in midfield but left the killer ball to Scholes mainly - 6

GIGGS: The man on a mission gave United welcome balanced width and an attacking verve but faded a bit in second half - 7

SCHOLES: Can't buy a goal at the moment but looked a happier player on the ball - 6

VAN NISTELROOY: Excellent skill to hit bar in first half and kept calm just when United needed his poaching the most - 6

Subs: Park, Miller, Pique, Ebanks-Blake, Rossi, Martin, Howard not used.

BENFICA: Moreira, Luisao, Leo, Petit, Fernandes (Geovanni 87), Beto (Mantorras 87), Sabrosa, Nuno Gomes, Nelson, Miccoli (Pereira 80), Rocha

GOALS: Giggs (39), Van Nistelrooy (85) for United, Sabrosa (59) for Benfica.

BOOKINGS: Smith (58) for United, Luisao (57), Gomes (69) for Benfica.

REFEREE: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).

ATTENDANCE: 66,347.

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