Giggs earns much-changed United a draw

Ryan Giggs confirmed there is room for an older hand among Manchester United’s young bucks as he grabbed a draw for the Red Devils with a brilliant solo effort at the Stadium of Light.

It was harsh on Benfica, who were the better team in this Champions League opener and were deservedly in front through Oscar Cardozo.

But in his 22 seasons as a professional, Giggs has learned many times that you do not always get what you deserve in this game. And whilst Sir Alex Ferguson could not have been that impressed with his side’s performance, with seven players making their first starts this season – but not record signing Dimitar Berbatov, who remained on the bench – he will be happy enough with a point from what, on paper at least, appears to be his side’s hardest game in the group phase. Amid all the plaudits United have received for their flying start to the season, Giggs has been virtually ignored.

However, with his side trailing and struggling, Giggs provided a timely reminder of what he has to offer when he picked up possession on the right flank three minutes before the break and shot into the space Benfica had afforded him. The Welshman quickly transferred the ball on to his favoured left foot, and from 20 yards rasped an unstoppable shot past Artur.

It earned him yet another milestone, as the player to have scored in more Champions League seasons – 16 – than anyone else, this his 27th goal in the competition.

United had started in composed manner but all the assurance withered away as the half proceeded and Benfica gained in confidence. The hosts’ breakthrough came as Cardozo controlled Gaitan’s cross on his chest, before whipping round Jonny Evans and drilling a fine shot past Anders Lindegaard.

Giggs, however, wiped out the deficit just before the break.

Wayne Rooney, strangely off the pace, was booked for clattering Artur. Antonio Valencia had shown flashes of his old form and forced his way to the by-line as he charged onto Rooney’s return ball at the start of the second half. Once there, he opted to fizz a cross into the six-yard box rather than provide Giggs or Rooney with a cut-back. Park did cut the ball back, but not far enough for Rooney, whose brilliant dummy enabled Giggs to get into the box but Artur repelled the veteran on this occasion. However, it was Benfica who finished the game strongest and they were unfortunate not to make their superiority tell.