CL Match 2: Benfica vs Man Utd
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UEFA Champions League : Benfica vs Manchester United : Group Phase 1
2.30am - 5am, LIVE on
Rui Costa and Nuno Assis have been ruled out of Benfica's UEFA Champions League match with Manchester United on Tuesday.
The clubs go head-to-head in the second match of Group F with United anxious to avenge last season's exit from the competition at the hands of the same opponents.
The Estadio da Luz side have been boosted by the recovery of centre back Ricardo Rocha, but will be without their experienced pair of attacking midfielders.
Coach Fernando Santos has Kostas Katsouranis, Georgios Karagounis and Armando Petit (pictured) at his disposal as replacements, but could also opt to change his system.
FC Copenhagen held the Portuguese outfit to a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opening match, so the fixture has taken on added importance.
Moderator's note : Added time and channel of the match -
drawwwwww!!
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manu really off form....
hope fully giggs can and will play -
Unfortunately giggs is out for 3 weeks, tat means no giggs for this match either.Originally posted by used:manu really off form.... hope fully giggs can and will play -
Manchester United will be out for revenge against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, according to Rio Ferdinand.
United slumped to a 2-1 defeat in last season's competition, which put an end to The Reds' proud record of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Having made a strong start to the new campaign in Group F, with a 3-2 victory over Celtic at Old Trafford, Ferdinand admits the players will be motivated by more than just the three points on Tuesday night.
"To go out at that stage in the Champions League was very disappointing," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"You want to be playing in the latter stages of any tournament and the Champions League is the biggest, so we'd like to play in the latter stages of that.
"Last season was disappointing when we played there, this season we are going out to rectify that.
"We know there's not much more the manager can say to make us want to go over there and do a job.
"Losing to any team, it hurts you, but we've got an opportunity to rectify that now."
The team's results have also dipped in the last two games, taking just one point from a possible six against Arsenal and Reading in the league, and the team will be anxious to bounce back against the Portuguese giants. -
ALEX FERGUSON has warned Benfica he is after Champions League revenge.
Benfica dumped Manchester United out of the competition at the first stage last season with a 2-1 defeat in Lisbon that left them bottom of their group.
Fergie roared: “It will be a bloody different result this time you can believe me about that.”
Boss Ferguson also believes Portuguese star Ronaldo is ready to make up for that result last December.He also gave the Benfica fans a one-finger gesture that earned him a ban for the Celtic game at Old Trafford.
But Ferguson added: “I don’t need to talk to him about this match. He is an intelligent player who is growing up, he understands. He has been our best player this season.
And midfelder Fletcher, 22, said: “Last time we had a lot of players injured and a lot of people not 100 per cent fit.
“This year things are different and Louis is on fire. He makes such great runs.
“He’s had disappointments with injuries in the past but he’s making up for it now.”
I still think united have to watch out for the divers and actors of Portugal. Cos their league players have a habit of doing all those things... -
revenge? look at how man utd perform against reading before talking about revenge
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fergie should drop the fcuked up fletcher and put in smith or ole
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Benfica 1 v. Man United 0
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Benfica playmaker Rui Costa will miss Tuesday's Champions League Group F clash with Manchester United after failing to recover from a thigh injury, a club official said on Monday.
The 34-year-old international, who also missed his side's draw against FC Copenhagen, suffered the right thigh injury during a Premier League match against Boavista two weeks ago -
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to star for Manchester United against Benfica.
Rooney has been below his best so far this season and has not scored in Europe for nine games, but Ferguson is confident he will deliver in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash.
"I am not concerned about Wayne's form at all," he said. "All he needs is games.
"He did well at Reading on Saturday. He showed a big improvement. There was far more sharpness from him and I am sure that progress will continue." -
last time we played, the "whole" benfica was either injured or resting and MUFC choked.
for me, I would want them to choke again, and wake up their idea.
If MUFC were to win, I would only want one player to have a 10out of 10 match, and that is ROONEY. If he can rebuild his confidence, his spirit, and scoring touch, then the whole EPL beware.
if we were to draw, then I rather we lose. -
CRISTIANO RONALDO has vowed to take revenge on Benfica supporters tonight and prove he has the mental strength to cope with their torrent of abuse.
He was mercilessly taunted by home fans at the Stadium of Light last year when Manchester United lost 2-1 and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.
The Portugal winger reacted with a one-fingered gesture, earning a one-game ban.
"I want to show them how much this club means to me and how much the fans mean to me," he added.
He can expect another tough night in front of a Benfica crowd who targeted him because he played for their hated rivals, Sporting Lisbon. -
WAYNE ROONEY must tonight prove his recent poor displays for Manchester United are simply down to a lack of match fitness rather than a more worrying slump in his normally superlative form.
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is the match tonight?
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*Gacky praying for good wind.. good luck.. good fortune.. bestow on the Devils. Envelope the opponents in darkness*
Amen.
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Ronaldo revved up for Europe
Cristiano Ronaldo claims Manchester United have the quality to bounce back from last year's abject showing in Europe and go all the way in the UEFA Champions League.
The Red Devils exited Europe's top club competition at the group stage after failing to find their top form.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men entered this season's competition with a point to prove and they set about their task by beating Celtic 3-2.
United were workmanlike rather than impressive against The Bhoys, but Ronaldo feels they have the quality to challenge the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Lyon this term.
"Why not?" he said. "This is a big club. Every year we have the chance to win it and hopefully this time we will.
"What happened last season is in the past. You have to think about the moment. We are doing very well just now and we have to keep it going -
Fergie backing for key duo
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to star for Manchester United against Benfica.
Rooney has been below his best so far this season and has not scored in Europe for nine games, but Ferguson is confident he will deliver in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash.
Ferguson believes the England striker, who has had to serve a three-match ban for a pre-season red card, is still on the way back to fitness following his broken metatarsal.
"I am not concerned about Wayne's form at all," he said. "All he needs is games.
"He did well at Reading on Saturday. He showed a big improvement. There was far more sharpness from him and I am sure that progress will continue."
Ronaldo, meanwhile, is expected to receive a similarly hostile reception to last season, when the Benfica boo boys eventually prompted him to lose his temper and respond with a 'one-fingered' salute.
The Portuguese winger has ignored taunts from rival fans in The Premiership this season, and Ferguson feels he will continue to show his growing maturity.
"I have not spoken to the boy," said Ferguson "I don't need to. Cristiano is intelligent and he understands the situation.
"He has been fantastic for us so far this season, probably our best player. He is growing up terrifically and has a fantastic future ahead of him."
Defender Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, has insisted it is time for United to start making an impact in Europe.
Ferdinand was a Champions League semi-finalist with Leeds, but has so far been unable to match that achievement at Old Trafford.
"I joined Manchester United to win trophies, and part of that was winning European trophies," said the 28-year-old.
"The Champions League is a great opportunity to showcase your talent and we have not managed to do that."
United crashed out in the group stages last season, and Ferdinand is eager to avoid another shock exit.
"I do not want to be in that situation again," he stressed.
"It was a very disappointing experience, both individually and collectively. But what we have to try and do is turn the negatives into positives.
"The last couple of years have been part of a transitional period for us.
"We have been trying to build up the experience with new players coming in. Now it is time for us to go out and prove our worth as individuals and as a team." -
Rio wants Lisbon revenge
Manchester United will be out for revenge against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, according to Rio Ferdinand.
United slumped to a 2-1 defeat in last season's competition, which put an end to The Reds' proud record of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Having made a strong start to the new campaign in Group F, with a 3-2 victory over Celtic at Old Trafford, Ferdinand admits the players will be motivated by more than just the three points on Tuesday night.
"To go out at that stage in the Champions League was very disappointing," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"You want to be playing in the latter stages of any tournament and the Champions League is the biggest, so we'd like to play in the latter stages of that.
"Last season was disappointing when we played there, this season we are going out to rectify that.
"We know there's not much more the manager can say to make us want to go over there and do a job.
"Losing to any team, it hurts you, but we've got an opportunity to rectify that now."
The team's results have also dipped in the last two games, taking just one point from a possible six against Arsenal and Reading in the league, and the team will be anxious to bounce back against the Portuguese giants. -
My guess tonight match will be a draw 2-2
Tough match... -
not high scoring maybe 3 goals at most
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whatever score nevermind as long as united win or don't lose can liao...
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Yea, u r rite!Originally posted by zocoss:whatever score nevermind as long as united win or don't lose can liao...
Match's too late (or rather too early) to watch, have to give it a miss
Anyone of you watching, do give us some updates yah! Thanks...
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might b draw
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Tough going for united... with the benfica players going down easily...