Exit lines at Theatre of Dreams

Villarreal top the standings with seven points from five games, one ahead of Lille and United and two clear of Benfica, making the Spaniards favourites to advance in their first season in the Champions League.

The equation now is simple for Ferguson: United must beat Benfica in their last Group D Match in Lisbon to ensure they qualify for the knockout stages for the 10th season in a row.

Failure to do so would cost United an estimated 15 million pounds ($25.69 million) in lost revenues and massively increase the pressure on Ferguson, who faces the very real prospect of not winning a major trophy for the second successive season.

Perhaps the most revealing moment of the evening came in the post-match news conference when Ferguson was asked to explain his team’s lacklustre display. ‘‘We were a bit unlucky with the early chances’’, Ferguson said. ‘‘Overall, I think we did well, some of our attacking play was very good.’’

United were not unlucky, they lacked the creativity to break down a well-organised and experienced defence. Paul Scholes, Alan Smith and Darren Fletcher came off second best in midfield, where Villarreal had more pace and guile.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed good moments in United’s attack but lacked the confidence and precision to break down the Spanish defence.

Ferguson could take comfort from his defence, which restricted Villarreal to long-range efforts. The problems are all at the other end of the pitch: The team that plundered 12 goals in three home Champions League group games last season and made their name under Ferguson as an irresistible attacking force have lost their cutting edge. (Reuters)