Nemanja Matic has revealed that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho planned to target Benfica's debutant goalkeeper Mile Svilar ahead of their 1-0 Champions League win.
After another defensive performance from Jose Mourinho’s side, Marcus Rashford scored the only goal in peculiar circumstances.
With Benfica handing a European debut to 18-year-old ‘keeper Mile Svilar, who became the youngest shot-stopper to ever play in the Champions League, Rashford looked to catch him out from a deep free-kick.
With the Belgian – who had just one cup appearance to his name before Wednesday - off his line, Rashford’s effort forced him to backtrack before carrying the ball into his own net, as goal line technology revealed.
Having sealed their win to stay top of Group A, a number of United players made a beeline for Svilar, with his opposite number David de Gea, midfielder Ander Herrera and, more than any other, his compatriot Lukaku all looking to lift his spirits.
Svilar apologised to the home fans after his mistake, though Nemanja Matic has revealed it was Mourinho’s plan to unsettle the youngster.
“The manager said to us to try and shoot and get some crosses towards their goalkeeper because he is young and playing in his first game,” the former Chelsea man told BT Sport.
“This is football and I know he is a great goalkeeper and I wish him well for the future.”
