AFTER collecting nine points from their opening three fixtures, Manchester United have been plunged into an unexpected make-or-break decider with Benfica after successive defeats by FC Copenhagen and Celtic in Group F.
A draw will be enough to send United through although, while they did not know it at the time, the same scenario applied in the Stadium of Light 12 months ago, and Ferguson's team failed the test.
Here is a look at the key battles likely to be contested at Old Trafford.
WAYNE ROONEY V LUISAO
After his rushed recovery from a broken bone in his foot Wayne Rooney was struggling for form when the sides met earlier in the season. The responsibility on his shoulders at the World Cup and the added pressure brought about at United by Ruud van Nistelrooy's departure was a factor behind Rooney's off-colour start to the campaign but the 21-year-old soon returned to his explosive best.
The big Brazilian defender has become Benfica's defensive cornerstone. Gangly but powerful, the centre-half has developed the composure which was missing from his game a couple of years ago. As Liverpool can testify, he is also a genuine goal threat from set pieces.
PAUL SCHOLES V PETIT
Regardless of his advancing years, former England international Scholes will relish the tussle with his fellow midfielder. Having overcome a string of injury problems he has resumed his role as Sir Alex Ferguson's midfield playmaker to great effect and has been instrumental in helping the Red Devils lead the Barclays Premiership table.
Petit - so nicknamed for his small frame - is a typically aggressive, hardworking diminutive midfielder. The Portugal international plays a key role in the Benfica side with his industrious performances and long-range goalscoring prowess.
RIO FERDINAND V SIMAO
Ferdinand started the season strongly as United recorded victories in each of their opening four games but after striking up a partnership with Wes Brown, he has recently excelled alongside the increasingly impressive no-nonsense Serbian Nemanja Vidic.
Captain Simao has been linked with a move to a major European league for two summers now but a transfer has yet to come off. The talismanic former Barcelona forward will remain in Lisbon at least until January to lead the line with his trademark creative flair and attacking drive.
Where do you think the game will be won and lost? Have your say.
Comments
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Come on Benfica - get rid of the arrogant english!!!
Utd will still have a chance - against rangers in the uefa cup!
It will be won by playing the best 11 clearly. Concentration at the back obviously fundamental & not giving away free kicks around the box. I'm confident Paul & Carrick can get balls in behind them & Rooney & Saha make it 2-0.
They missed one.. RONALDO VS BENFICA FANS.
This is going to be very dangerous. Benfica have to win but they won't go all out attack, they'll look to catch us on the break in the second half. I think it's important we sew it up by then otherwise the last 45 minutes could be very hairy and we don't cope well historically when we have the jitters. We need to hit them from the word go; they won't expect that because we can't afford to lose. They will expect a cautious game. We need to be one or two up at half time. My prediction is for us to be one up, but Benfica to pull it back to 1-1 and then a very nervous ending. Need Ronaldo to play like he did on Saturday and Rooney wants to bury one.
shouldn't be a problem really. our midfield now has two fantastic distributers of the ball in Carrick and Scholes who can feed to very strong and fast forwards in Saha, Rooney and Ronaldo and with a back line or Vidic, Ferdinand, Hienze and Neville and Van Da Sar i don't see us leaking any goals. as long as we can get behind their defense using Ronny and Giggs we should have no problems. plenty of crosses, don't attempt to walk the ball into the goal ala Arsenal, there we go, who are City playing in Europe this season, ohh that's it no one ha-ha-ha!!!
stu, I hope your prediction is way off because that sounds like squeeky-bum time! Surely we will make it a comfortable win - we are the much better side.
IMO Rooney has to start producing in European games, I don't think it's unfair to expect more from him because he doesn't seem the same player at times - I know he gets played out of position a lot, especially away from home, but we should go 4-4-2 tomorrow night and play to his and our strengths. I think Stu may have called this one right [unfortunately] because I expect we will be fairly cautious and Benfica will try to hit us on the break. Hoping for 2-0 and no injuries or suspensions.
Chris Rooneys all round game has been mostly good in Europe apart from playing wide left and being a little dissapointing in big games like Benfica last year and AC Milan. Until he breaks his kneck to get into the box though he will not score regularly enough at all levels. On Saturday and for most of the season when the ball is out wide we are left with only one man in the box either Saha or Ronaldo. Rooney puts more effort into sprinting back into his own half to foul someone than he does to getting into the box. If you dont believe me watch our second goal when Giggs is out wide and Ronaldo goes past both Saha and Rooney busting a gut to get in the middle. Improve this side of Rooneys game and when he starts scoring winners in big games he will then be among the very best in the world.
chris i think that is harsh on rooney saf sticks him out wide on the left a lot and his contribution is not what it should be. He should have been played through the middle against celtic and he would have been 100% more effective ditto chelsea and arsenal
Lee/Bobby: I did say that Rooney gets played out of position a lot which obviously doesn't help him but this goes back to his goal scoring record which really is poor in Europe and I would have expected more from him by now. Hopefully we will see him up front with Saha tomorrow night and he will batter a couple in from 30 yards!
Just as long as SAF doesn't let Queiroz talk him into playing a 4-5-1 again, and we don't sit on a 1-0 lead, then we should be fine. 4-4-2 and all guns blazing please, no more of this sit back and soak up the pressure when we have a 1 goal lead.
On paper we are the stronger side and should win but when teams have to win you never know despite the away factor. If we run at them and don't giveup set pieces near our box then our back four plus Carrick should keep them out. We are throwing a lot of fire power at them so with the right effort, the night should be ours which will set us up nicely for City.
Big factor tonight is that benfica have to win which I am sure is not really (no matter how confident they seem) how they would like it away from home ....also one very important fact is we are a much better side than last year with scoring options all over the park. Wish I was there as for me the big midweek euro nights are always amazing so that being said can't see them scoring so 2-0 for me!