Manchester United v Benfica - Match Preview

By David Hobbs
September 26 2005

The Old Trafford faithful called for Sir Alex Ferguson's head at the end of the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers and will be expecting a much improved performance against Benfica.

Manchester United v Benfica
UEFA Champions League Group D
Old Trafford
27th September, 2005
19:45 KO 

The Portuguese Champions head to Old Trafford looking to continue their winning ways in the Champions League after beating Lille 1-0.

United meanwhile were held to a goalless draw in Spain by Villarreal, where Wayne Rooney's actions hit the headlines as apposed to the result itself.

The Red Devils have a strong European link with Benfica, who United beat 4-1 in May 1968 to capture their first European Champions Cup. It took a while for the legendary Matt Busby and his team including football kings Charlton, Law and Best to finally lift the prestigious trophy.

At the moment, United head into the game looking to take maximum points, something they have yet to do in the Premiership and in Europe for 4 games.

Benfica's 25-year-old Portugal international striker Simao Sabrosa has been doing is homework on United, commenting: "The great advantage we have is the mistakes being made by their defenders. Manchester United are not at their best at the moment and it is a great opportunity for Benfica. Old Trafford holds no fears.

"Edwin van der Sar is a better goalkeeper than they had before but they make so many errors in defence it does not matter." 

Team News: 
United virtually have a whole team missing and will have to face Benfica without the likes of skipper Roy Keane, Gary Neville or Gabriel Heinze. Strikers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha are long term absentees meanwhile John O'Shea has sustained a fresh injury. Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "We're just waiting on John O'Shea to make sure he is 100 per cent. There are one or two knocks from Saturday to get over."

Fergie's No.2 Carlos Queiroz however believes the injuries should not be a problem. "We are still confident but we are without eight players - no team in the world would like to be in that position," he said.

"Losing Roy Keane is a big blow, but players like Heinze, Gary Neville and Solskjaer would all start in the first team also. But we cannot use injuries as an excuse. 

He added:  "Benfica can come here and play whatever system they like, but if we make 12 chances and don't take them it is obvious that they will get a good result against us."

ManUtdWeb Prediction:
We must win, otherwise we will be in a dire situation where we find it difficult to win in the Premiership and in Europe. However, I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson will make the right decisions regarding team-selection. 1-0 United.

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]