Jose Mourinho: Manchester United penalty takers 'my decision' after Romelu Lukaku, Daley Blind mix-up

Jose Mourinho confirmed it was his decision to have Daley Blind take a penalty ahead of Romelu Lukaku during Manchester United's 2-0 Champions League win over Benfica.

Lukaku, whose scoreless streak extended to six games, had wanted to take the penalty won by Marcus Rashford in the 77th minute, but was overruled first by Ander Herrera and then Blind.

Having seen Anthony Martial's first-half spot kick saved by 18-year-old goalkeeper Mile Svilar in the first half, Mourinho was seen barking his orders to the potential penalty takers - and confirmed after the game that such decisions are his alone.

"Martial was the player to take (penalties), he took one, he missed and he was not even on the pitch (for the second)," he told reporters. "The players were happy to take responsibility, Romelu and Ander the same, but my choice is Blind. It is my decision.

"We train, I analyse, I try to make the right decision. In the last days Martial didn't miss one when taking so many against three good goalkeepers, and he missed, so sometimes the choice is wrong, but I wanted Daley. It was my decision."

Nemanja Matic - whose first-half shot cannoned off the post onto Svilar's head for the first goal of the night - said United need to remain focused until qualification for the knockout stages stage is absolutely certain.

United have won all four Group A games and need just one point from their final two matches, with Matic telling BT Sport 3 "We have to be focused until the end.

"We have to fight in the last two games and we will go to win both games. I'm sure the team is ready."

Asked about the late penalty confusion, Matic added: "I'm not sure. I think the manager decided that Daley needed to shoot."

There was a first Champions League start for 20-year-old Scott McTominay, who has been at United since the age of five.

"Obviously as a young boy, growing up you dream of the Champions League and playing for Manchester United," he said. "It's a dream for me and I'm made up we've got the three points and the clean sheet."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.