Man Utd Set To Keep Up Strong Champions League Record Against Benfica
Man Utd have become true specialists in this competition with three appearances in the Champions League Final in four seasons. Even Barcelona can't boast about that but they have of course beaten Man Utd in two of those finals. Many think Barcelona are once again the only team standing in the way of European success for Man Utd this season and it will be interesting to see how Man Utd's youngsters deal with the added pressure that the Champions League brings.
Rio Ferdinand will miss this trip to Benfica, he joins Nemanja Vidic by not travelling but it is thought he is just being rested, unlike Vidic who is still out injured. Jonny Evans is expected to shake off a knock to start alongside Phil Jones in the heart of defence in Ferdinand's absence. Don't be surprised to see a couple of other unenforced changes to the Man Utd line up with Chelsea visiting Old Trafford on Sunday, Ryan Giggs could come in for a first start of the season Park Ji-Sung and Dimitar Berbatov also in contention. Michael Carrick could replace Tom Cleverley who has been ruled out of action for a month with a foot injury sustained in the early minutes of the match against Bolton on Saturday.
Man Utd are the ultimate professionals when it comes to games like this, as is proved by their record of reaching the final in recent years, and it would be a huge shock if the result contained anything but an away win even though Benfica are a decent team. They are also a team that is used to playing in the Europa League in the second half of the season so there is clearly a gulf in class and you can't really oppose Man Utd in their current form so Man Utd are a confident bet to win this match.