Man United vs Benfica
Champions League Group Stage
31.10.17, 19:45
Old Trafford
Formality for Manchester United to at least qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League when they host Benfica tomorrow night (Tuesday).
A point should do it and there’s no reason why we can’t pick up all three to top the group and hopefully avoid some of the other big guns in the knock-out stages.
What we saw of the Portuguese two weeks ago indicated there is little to worry about no matter how many changes we make to give some players a rest ahead of the crucial battle with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Sunday afternoon.
Expect Sergio Romero to make a rare appearance in goal with David de Gea stepping down having yet to concede a goal at Old Trafford in any competition this season.
Defensively, Axel Tuanzebe should start and it will be interesting to see whether Luke Shaw can force his way in with Daley Blind a certain inclusion possibly employed in the middle of the back line giving Mourinho an opportunity to rest at least one of his 3 main centre-backs.
Matteo Darmian is another who will feature, but it’s in midfield where the manager will struggle to give find adequate replacements.
He would want to rest Andera Herrera or Nemanja Matic or both but with Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini both sidelined, Juan Mata may be forced to take up a deeper role with Scott McTominay set to feature after his impressive performance in last week’s League Cup win at Swansea.
Up front, Romalu Lukaku needs a goal after going four matches without scoring so may get the nod although with Marcus Rashford Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial in the reckoning as well.
It shouldn’t be too much of a problem to emerge victorious but stranger things have happened in football and Jose will have his troops fired up to to get the job done with two fixtures still to play.
Commentary by Lew Fink.
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