United v Benfica

21/11/2011 02:30 , Mark Froggatt

United welcome Benfica to OT knowing a win will seal progress to the UEFA Champions League last 16...

Form guide

United recorded a fifth consecutive win and clean sheet on Saturday with a well deserved victory over Swansea City in the Barclays Premier League, adding to earlier triumphs against Aldershot, Everton, Otelul Galati and Sunderland. Another three points against Benfica would guarantee the Reds safe passage through to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, though the Portuguese giants know a similar result would seal their own qualification. Impressively, the Leões are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have won 13 out of 20 games.

Ins and out

Sir Alex Ferguson is without Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Michael Owen (hamstring) who have both been ruled out until Christmas, while captain Nemanja Vidic is suspended following his straight red card against Otelul Galati in Bucharest. Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Chris Smalling (foot) and Ashley Young (toe) are all in contention, as is Wayne Rooney, despite the striker sitting out Monday's training. Galati are without Enzo Perez (knee) and should be missing Javier Saviola (knee) and Nemanja Matić (foot), however Javi García has recovered from a dead leg and is likely to feature.

Last meeting

Ryan Giggs earned United a well deserved draw in a difficult Group C opener in Lisbon, firing home from 20 yards to cancel out Oscar Cardozo’s similarly impressive strike at the Estádio da Luz. The Welshman’s goal extends his record as the competition’s oldest scorer to 37 years and 289 days.

Top man

In contrast to his diminutive figure, Nicolas Gaitán is a powerful weapon in Benfica’s attacking arsenal and is definitely a man to watch. Although naturally a centre-midfielder, the former Boca Juniors man is regularly deployed on the left of a three-pronged attack, adopting the role of creator-in-chief for towering striker Cardozo. The Argentine was a standout performer against United in September and has since been linked with a £40million move to M16.

Quote/unquote

“You do want to finish top. First and foremost, you look to qualify for the knockout stages. But you want to finish top, for the last-16 draw and for other perks like playing the second leg at home.” – Darren Fletcher

Any sub-plots?

Both United and Benfica sit joint-top of Group C, meaning Tuesday’s match will go a long way to deciding which team finishes first and avoids the big guns in the knockout stages. This fixture also evokes memories of 1968, when the Reds beat Eusebio and co at Wembley to lift the European Cup for the first time.

Whistle blower

Promising Turkish official Cüneyt Çakir has enjoyed a steady ascension since his European debut in 2003, taking charge of five Champions League games and several more in the Europa League. The Insurance worker from Istanbul is yet to referee either side.

Rivals watch

Elsewhere in Group C, Otelul Galati hope to register their first points of the campaign against FC Basel in Romania while Manchester City travel to Italy to face Napoli in Group A.

source : Manutd

Fletcher lauds Swans

“They play football the right way and have been a breath of fresh air since coming into the Premier League. It’s going to be a real challenge.”

 - Darren Fletcher

17/11/2011 12:16, Report by Mark Froggatt

Darren Fletcher has praised Swansea City's attacking intent ahead of United’s first-ever Premier League trip to Wales on Saturday. Fletcher lauds Swans

The Reds midfielder has been impressed by the football on show at the Liberty Stadium, where Brendan Rogers’ newly-promoted side are still unbeaten after five home games in the top flight. Overall, the Swans have earned a respectable 13 points from a possible 33.

"It’s a new experience for us all. They’re the first Welsh team in the Premier League and going there will be a great experience," Fletcher told ManUtd.com.

"Swansea have been applauded for the football they’ve played this season. When I was on international duty, I spoke to a couple of my Scotland team-mates who have played against them and they told me how well Swansea keep the ball.

"They play football in the right way and have been a breath of fresh air since coming into the Premier League. It’s going to be a real challenge for us on Saturday.

"I’m sure this is the sort of fixture Swansea and their fans have been dreaming about for years. Welsh fans are always passionate and I’m sure the stadium will be packed out so it should be a fantastic atmosphere."

Saturday’s game also provides Fletcher with an opportunity to meet up with his former United colleague Alan Tate, whose Old Trafford career ended seven years ago with a switch to Swansea, then in League Two, following two successful loan spells.

"It’ll be nice to see my old friend Alan Tate who I played with in the youth team," Fletcher recalled. "He was a couple of years older than me and always looked after me and made sure I was okay when I first came to Manchester.

"I’ll always remember him for that. He’s recovering from a bad injury at the moment and the sooner he gets back in the team the better it’ll be for Swansea because he’s a top player."

source : Manutd