UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Benfica's Jesus left wanting more after United draw

Jorge Jesus said "if there was a winner it would have been Benfica" while Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with the way Manchester United FC fought back to earn a 1-1 draw.

Benfica's Jesus left wanting more after United draw
Benfica's Jesus left wanting more after United draw ©UEFA.com

Jorge Jesus, Benfica coach
United were better in possession but in areas which posed little danger to us. We had more chances to score, more shots on goal, more corners and we could have scored near the end through Nolito. United are a top team with lots of experience and quality. We were disciplined tactically.

We knew when to defend and when to attack and if there was a winner it would have been Benfica. A point against United is not perfect, but it is still good. Ryan Giggs scored a great goal. United are the favourites for this group. In England they will be unbeatable, hopefully like us in our stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager
Going a goal down but coming back was the good part of the game for us, in the first 30 minutes of the second half we played very well, maybe we should have finished it then. In the last 15 minutes they came into it and Anders [Lindegaard] made two terrific saves to keep us into it.

We had one or two chances ourselves but I think a draw was a fair result. You've got to expect a tough game with Benfica. When they had possession they did well and when we had it, we played well. That's what good teams can do. It was that type of match and both teams played their part. One of the most pleasing aspects was the opportunity to field some of the players who'd previously been on the fringes this season.