Predicted Manchester United Line-up To Face Benfica In The Champions League
Manchester United were back to winning ways at the weekend as a solitary goal was enough for them to steal all three points from Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Old Trafford. However, they cannot lift their leg off the gas pedal, when they welcome Portuguese giants SL Benfica to Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The Red Devils managed a slender victory in Portugal in the reverse fixture and will hope to put in a similar performance on Tuesday.
Team News
The Red Devils are still without the services of Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, they remain the only absentees for this fixture.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Jose Mourinho
GK – David de Gea
The Spaniard has been in sensational form this season as well and will start in goal.
RB – Antonio Valencia
The experienced full-back has been the first choice for Mourinho and should keep his place in the side against Benfica.
CB – Eric Bailly
Easily the best defender United have at the moment, Bailly is an automatic starter in this UCL clash.
CB – Phil Jones
The English international has shown great stability at the back and should partner Bailly.
LB – Matteo Darmian
With Young doing a good job in the Premier League, Mourinho cannot risk overplaying him and should bring Darmian back in at left-back.
CM – Nemanja Matic
The Serbian has been at the heart of the midfield for United and has been effective. He is expected to start in the midfield yet again.
CM – Ander Herrera
Injuries to key players should see Matic be partnered by Spanish ace Herrera, who had a fruitful game at the weekend.
RW – Jesse Lingard
The youngster was effective in the previous mid-week game in the League Cup and Mourinho should give him a chance to shine at the highest stage.
CAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian playmaker has suddenly gone quiet but he needs to up his game if United are to take anything from this tie.
LW – Marcus Rashford
Though Martial scored the winner at the weekend, Mourinho seems to trust Rashford more from the start and should stick with him.
ST – Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian ace will be the most important player for United and he cannot afford to misfire in this crunch game.
