Manchester United hosts Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday night for a return leg of the Champions League precisely ten days after securing a 1-0 victory over the Portuguese Primeira Liga champions in Portugal. The Red Devils will book a place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a victory over Benfica in their fourth game of Group A. Jose Mourinho's side heads into the game fresh from the 1-0 win they handed Tottenham Hotspurs over the weekend, to stay in the second spot in the Premier League standings.
Benfica is at the base of the Group A table after failing to win any of their three opening group fixtures.
The Portuguese have no points and are likely to exit the competition at the group stage. After the 1-0 loss to Manchester United ten days ago, Benfica bounced back by defeating Aves and Feirense to go third in the Primeira Liga table.
Talking points
- Manchester United is the most decorated English side after winning the domestic title a record twenty times. The last time the Red Devils won the English title was in 2012/13 when Alex Ferguson was still at the helm of the Manchester club.
- Benfica is defending the Portuguese League, a trophy the club has won a record 36 times. The Portuguese giants have now won the crown in the last four consecutive seasons.
- Manchester United have won the Champions League title on three occasions after reaching five finals of the competitions. The Red Devils' last title in the European league came in 2007/08 in a final that pit them against a fellow English team, Chelsea.
- Manchester could've become the first club to win the European title in two consecutive seasons had they won it against Barcelona in 2008/09.
- Benfica has failed to win a Champions League title despite reaching five finals. In 1967/68, Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 to win the trophy that was staged at Wembley Stadium in London.
- Benfica has lost its last four Champions League matches while Manchester United has won its last three fixtures in the competition. Manchester United has scored at least two goals in all competitions while playing Benfica at home.
Team news
Jose Mourinho didn't have the freedom to rest his key players for this match given that his side was facing Tottenham Hotspurs in the Premier League at the weekend.
The Red Devils will face the Eagles of Portugal in the absence of Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Paul Pogba who are all sidelined with injuries.
The Manchester United manager is expected to field the strongest squad for this home game in an attempt to qualify for the next stage of the elite league.
A victory over Benfica will offer relief to Jose Mourinho's side and enable the Manchester outfits to focus their attention on the Premier League title race.
Rui Victoria heads into the fixture with a clean bill of health on his players, but he will have to contend with suspension his two players are facing. Benfica defender Luisao will miss the trip to Manchester after receiving two yellow cards in the Benfica loss to the Red Devils. Also, Andre Almeida will be serving the ban due to the red card he was shown in the 5-0 loss to Basel late in September.
Full-time prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Benfica
