The Independent:
Of all the purely footballing images of George Best that will live on in the memory and the television clips, two of the most enduring are against Benfica. So it is all the more appropriate that the Portuguese side should be Manchester United's opponents in their first European Cup game since his death, a game moreover that United must win to be sure of avoiding elimination before the competition has reached the knockout format of Best's heyday.
The Belfast Boy's "hey!" days did not come with any more emphatic an exclamation mark than United's ties in Lisbon in March 1966 and at Wembley two years and two months later. Could it then be an omen to be facing them again, albeit a Benfica even further removed than United from the two clubs' most glorious days?
But as is desirable in his role as a pundit for MUTV, Crerand remains optimistic, both about the longer term and this Wednesday's return to Lisbon: "I still fancy United out there, I don't think it's over. The potential's tremendous with the set of players they've got. The problem they've had is that injuries have been horrendous.
"Wayne Rooney is a real Man United player. And I don't think he'll face the same temptations as George did, because he was the first and nobody understood the situation. Alex [Ferguson] understands it. If you go to see United, you expect one or two players to get you on the edge of your seat, and Wayne does that. Just like George did every time he picked the ball up."
Ferg:
'I don't think the financial side comes into the equation at all.
'I don't feel under any extra pressure, I feel just like I always do. Responsible. I'm responsible for the team, for getting the tactics and the motivation right, because that's my job.
'Of course I'm disappointed we haven't scored more goals, but we have been dominating games and creating chances.
'Lille are a very defensive team anyway, and although I thought we could have beaten Villarreal, in all fairness you have to say they defended brilliantly.
'Winning the group doesn't matter, all you need to do at this stage is qualify. Last season you had a situation where big clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona finished second and played the group winners in the next round, so there's no definite advantage to be had from finishing top.
'It's an irony, that's all,' Fergie says, about playing Benfica just after West Brom. 'Football is full of them. It was an irony that we played West Brom last week in the first game here since George died, because they were the opponents when he made his debut. Everyone knows George made his reputation against Benfica, so it is appropriate that we play them this week, but to get a result we've got to do our usual preparation and cover all the eventualities as we normally do.
'I'm confident we can go through. We'll be in the next round, don't worry about that.'
Oz:
'I don't think either side will open up totally as there is so much at stake, but it should be a good game, because winning is our only option, too.'
Ruud:
'The way we have played in the last few games has given us something to build on.
'We also have players coming back from injury, so the squad is strengthening, so if we can play to our best, we have the confidence to get the result we need over there.
'This is not a typical Champions League group.
'Only eight goals have been scored so far and there has never been a situation like that before. Now it all comes down to Wednesday as a cup game, but early in the season.'
Benfica manager, Ronald Koeman:
'The group is nicely balanced, and we've got to give ourselves a chance of beating United.
'Previous games in this group have shown how important it is to defend in this competition, but this time we need our attack to show us the way and give us the win we need.'