Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent record in the UEFA Champions League, thanks to Marcus Rashford’s 64th-minute winner as the Red Devils eked out a 1-0 win at Benfica.

United were heavy favourites for Wednesday’s clash in Lisbon but Jose Mourinho had predicted a tricky tie and the Eagles made life difficult for their fancied opponents.

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Benfica, who had lost their opening first two games in the competition, knew that anything but a win would effectively end their chances of progression and they broke a record when their team sheet was released.

Their Belgian goalkeeper Mile Svilar, at 18 years and 52 days, became the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in the UEFA Champions League, breaking the record held by Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

The Red Devils monopolised possession from the off while Benfica were content to hit the visitors on the counter and were bright in the opening stages.

In a first-half mostly devoid of clear-cut chances, Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic was the one who came closest to scoring but Svilar comfortably beat the former Benfica’ man’s shot away.

United, with Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford in their lineup, had plenty of pace and almost caught Benfica cold with a fast break but their Armenian winger was unable to keep his shot on target as the sides went into the interval deadlocked.

Rashford and Matic would then try their luck from range but their speculative efforts didn’t bother Svilar much.

After a 0-0 draw with rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on the weekend, their traveling support feared a similar scoreline was on the card.

Rashford, who had twice tried to score directly from a corner only to see Svilar tip the ball over the bar, finally broke the deadlock from distance.

As he stood over a free-kick on the left flank, Svilar anticipated a cross and came out early but Rashford swung it in and while the keeper scrambled to gather, goal-line technology confirmed he had carried the ball inside the goal.

Anthony Martial, on as a substitute, came close to scoring as he attempted to squeeze his shot through at the near-post but Svilar was equal to the task.

There were to be no more goals in the tie, but there was plenty of drama as veteran Benfica defender Luisao was sent off for a late lunge on United youngster Scott McTominay.

He had been cautioned as early as the fifth minute by referee Felix Zwayer and while he was careful for the remainder of the match, the 36-year-old got his matching orders in the 93rd minute as the game ended on a sour note for the hosts.

In the other Group A game on the night FC Basel beat CSKA Moscow 2-0 in Russia to maintain their hold on second place. United remain on top with nine points and at the halfway stage and are firm favourites to win their group while it looks like CSKA and Basel will fight it out for the second and final qualifying spot. The Russians have three points from as many games while Benfica remain rooted at the bottom with zero points.