UEFA Youth League: Benfica 2 Manchester United 2

The Reds had previously beaten FC Basel and CSKA Moscow with relative ease, but faced a talented side on matchday three and fell two goals behind to strikes from Nuno Santos and Jose Gomes. Joshui Bohui then pulled one back from the penalty spot, before equalising with a superb solo effort.

There was a long stoppage of play in the sixth minute following a heavy challenge on Ethan Hamilton that left the midfielder needing urgent medical attention. Nicky Butt and his coaching staff were far from happy with the incident and rightly made their feelings known to the referee. Thankfully, Hamilton rose to his feet and, once play resumed, he dragged a low wide of the post from 20 yards.

After a decent spell of pressure for Benfica - and a series of fouls from both sides - the combative Hamilton went close with two more opportunities on 22 and 26 minutes, firstly by volleying a high ball wide of the left post and secondly with a driven shot that deflected out for a corner.

The hosts caused a stir among the watching crowd of around 500 fans, on 37 minutes, when captain Joao Filipe struck a thunderous shot from just inside the box that cannoned off the right post. United goalkeeper Alex Fojticek could only watch it hit the woodwork, due to the ferocity of its flight.

Benfica broke the deadlock shortly before the break when Nuno Santos ran on to an incisive through ball and slotted a composed finish into the bottom corner of the net. George Tanner was booked a few minutes later for a foul and it was a surprise that his was the first yellow card of a feisty half.

Butt made a change at half-time by introducing Nishan Burkart but plans to quickly turn the game around were dealt a blow when Benfica doubled their advantage via a free header from a corner by Jose Gomes. 

After a period of few chances, United were handed a lifeline when a penalty was awarded on 69 minutes and Bohui struck the resulting spot-kick into the bottom-left corner with confidence after being impeded inside the area.

With 80 minutes on the clock, Butt was harshly sent to the stand after remonstrating with the referee and the United manager clearly – and justifiably - felt aggrieved by the treatment of his players.

Our spirited youngsters tried their best to equalise throughout the closing stages and, just as Benfica looked set to claim a win, Bohui produced a moment of magic to equalise, dribbling around a handful of defenders on the edge of the penalty area before hooking a low shot into the corner via a post.

UEFA later reported that Indy Boonen was sent off for a second yellow card at the end, despite already being substituted. Max Dunne was also cautioned, even though he was an unused sub, for celebrating Bohui's leveller on the pitch.

It was a superb comeback from United, in testing circumstances, and the upcoming return fixture in Manchester on 31 October at Leigh Sports Village will be a fascinating watch on this evidence.

THE TEAMS

Benfica: Azevedo, Medina Etienne, Pedro Alvaro, Fernandes Loureiro, Ricardo Araujo, Florentino, Joao Filipe, Gedson Fernandes, Jose Gomes (David Tavares 84), Joao Felix (Diogo Mendes 78), Nuno Santos (Embalo 64).
Subs not used: Diogo Garrido, Ventura Pinheiro, Diogo Pinto, Mesaque Dju.
Booked: Jose Gomes, David Tavares.

United: Fojticek, Barlow, Sang (Burkart 46), Hamilton, O'Connor, Boonen (Baars 62), Warren, R. Williams, Tanner (Garner 70), Laird, Bohui.
Subs not used: Thompson, Dunne, Ercolani, B. Williams.
Booked: Tanner, Laird, O’Connor, Burkart, Boonen, Dunne, Fojticek.
Sent off: Boonen.