Without a goal in the
previous five games, Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was quick to grab
the ball when his team were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute of their
Champions League game against Benfica.
United were 1-0 up and had already missed one penalty, a soft
effort from Anthony Martial saved by Benfica's 18-year-old keeper Mile Svilar.
But with Lukaku ready to end his barren spell and secure the
win, United manager Jose Mourinho signalled he wanted someone else to take the
spot-kick.
Spanish subsitute Ander Herrera showed his willingness to take
the kick but still Mourinho was not happy until his clear choice, Dutch
defender Daley Blind was given the ball and drove confidently down the middle.
It was an unusual scene but Mourinho said it was simply the boss
doing his job.
"I am paid to take decisions - good or bad. In the first
half the decision was bad because the player I chose to take the penalty
missed," he said.
"In the second half I made another decision and I don't see
the drama. The penalty taker for this match was Martial, he took it in the
first half and missed and he was not even on the pitch for the second one.
"Then I have to make a decision. Romelu wants to take, he
had the personality to take the responsibility, Herrera the same but my
decision, based on what we did in training in the past couple of days, was
Blind. The players respected my decision and that is it - end of story."