Beckham was inches from giving United the lead shortly before the interval but his free-kick went narrowly wide.
But Giggs had better luck when United took the lead seven minutes before the interval, his free-kick inadvertently glancing off Simao past the stranded Moreira after Cristiano Ronaldo had been fouled.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Europe | Manchester United 2-1 Benfica
Bob Malcolm came close to equalising for the hosts with a free kick 11 minutes before the interval, only to see his 25-yard effort tipped onto the bar by Howard.
Chelsea were controlling the game with almost embarrassing ease, and it was no surprise when Alex added a third for them five minutes before the interval, his low free-kick from 30 yards somehow squirming past Hirschfeld.
Kaunas levelled the scores two minutes before the interval when captain Radzius thundered a magnificent free-kick from 30 yards beyond McGregor.
Celtic continued to toil after the interval and were lucky to see Moises flash a free header wide from a free kick.
Norwich wasted a chance just before the interval when Leon Barnett headed over Lansbury's free-kick, but they pegged it back in the second half.
Reina was tested twice by Nani's shot and a Rooney free-kick from the edge of the area before the interval, but the game had settled after an explosive opening.
Aberdeen attempted to hit back straight away but Charlie Mulgrew's free-kick was blocked by Imrie as Inverness held firm until the interval.
Hart, who had made another good save from Brunt just before the interval, again played his part when he pushed a Shorey free-kick round his post.
The visiting side did have the ball in the net just before the interval when Senderos slid in to convert a deep Leighton Baines free-kick but the defender was penalised for offside.
As the half-time whistle approached, both sides continued to push for an opener, and Hunt came close with a curling free-kick in the 42nd minute, but it remained goalless at the interval.
David Jones then stole the show with a 20-yard volley after a cute free-kick from Karl Henry and Steven Fletcher nodded in a second before the interval.
The moment of controversy involving goalkeeper Devine came four minutes after the interval with the Tyrone custodian looking certain to have carried a miss-hit free from Aaron Kernan over his own goal-line.
BBC: SPORT | Northern Ireland | Gaelic Games | Armagh fight back to earn replay
There was still time for another opportunity for Newcastle before the interval, with Martins sending a glancing header just wide from Nicky Butt's free-kick.
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