Evergreen Giggs spares Ferguson’s blushes

Benfica 1 Manchester United 1. Ryan Giggs salvaged a point for Manchester United in Lisbon with a wonderful goal in their Champions League opener. It was the Welshman's sixteenth season of finding the net in Europe's premier competition, a record to go alongside his status as the tournament's oldest goalscorer.

At 37 years and 289 days, Giggs might lack the pace of old but he still has a stunning left foot, and he has now scored for United in 22 consecutive seasons. Against Benfica he took a pass from Antonio Valencia, then cut inside from the right and unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards that stunned Brazilian keeper Artur. "It was a great goal, terrific quality," said Alex Ferguson later, adding of Giggs: "I felt in the early part of the match he perhaps sat too deep in midfield, but when he got in behind them, in their central midfield area, he was a real threat to them."

But other than Giggs's goal – and the performance of novice keeper Anders Lindegaard -  there was precious little for Ferguson to cheer about on a night that United were stretched for the first time this season. With four straight victories so far in the Premier League, the English champions suddenly found themselves embroiled in a battle in Portugal with Oscar Cardozo and Nicolas Gaitan particularly dangerous for the home side.

Perhaps over confident Ferguson made eight changes to the side that beat Bolton at the weekend, including resting David De Gea and giving a Champions League debut to Danish gloveman Lindegaard.

The 27-year-old, playing only his third match for United, saved well from Cardozo on 20 minutes but four minutes later was powerless to prevent the same player firing home to give the hosts the lead they deserved. Three minutes before the break Giggs levelled against the run of play, and stern words from Ferguson at half-time ensured that United were more effective in the second half.

Both sides had opportunities to take the lead late on with Giggs almost getting a second and Lindegaard denying both Gaitan and Nolito with sharp saves. The Dane's display between the sticks piles more pressure on De Gea, who's struggled to adjust to English football since arriving in the summer from Atletico Madrid.

But if Ferguson is pleased to have such healthy competition for places in his squad he didn't show it when asked later if Lindegaard would start Sunday's Premier League match against Chelsea. "I don't know why you ask these questions, you're just looking for stupid little things," he snapped. "David will play on Sunday. That was the understanding we had before the game and it doesn't change. Anyway it proves we have two terrific keepers."

In the other Group C match Basle – United's next opponents in a fortnight – beat Romanian side Otelul Galati 2-1. ·