Manchester United vs Benfica: Team news

 The Red Devils have the knockout stage in their sights as they welcome the Lisbon outfit to Old Trafford for the second round of group games.

Manchester United can take a step closer to the Champions League knockout stage with a positive result against Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's side are currently top of Group A having taken maximum points from their opening three games and a win over the Portuguese giants could be enough to ensure their place in the last 16 heading into the final two games.

Defeat for Benfica, on the other hand, will probably spell the end of their Champions League adventure as they come into the match with zero points.

SQUADS & TEAM NEWS 
Man u news
Eric Bailly is back in action having featured as part of a three-man defence against Tottenham, but Michael Carrick, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are all still injured.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are nearing returns but the duo are unlikely to play a part on Tuesday.

Benfica news
Potential Man Utd starting XI: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Smalling; Valencia, Herrera, Matic, Young; Mkhitaryan, Martial; Lukaku.

Benfica will be without the services of Luisao and Andre Almeida, who are suspended, while Jardel is ruled out of action due to injury.
Potential Benfica starting XI:  Svilar; Douglas, Dias, Eliseu, Grimaldo; Fejsa, Pizzi, Augusto, Goncalves, Salvio; Seferovic.

GAME PREVIEW

Manchester United managed to weather the storm following their shock defeat to Huddersfield Town last week by picking up convincing victories against Swansea City and Tottenham, so they will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe where they can effectively ensure their place among the elite with a win.

The Red Devils began the season at a blistering pace, but they have gradually slowed down, as results have shown, with injuries and loss of form having an impact on their performances.

One player in particular who has suffered from the team's blip is Romelu Lukaku, having failed to find the net in any of his previous five outings. The Belgium international has not scored for his club in the entire month of October, but he has a chance to amend that on Tuesday.

Indeed, with a crunch Premier League clash away to Chelsea coming swiftly after the game against Benfica, Mourinho will be hopeful that his chief goal threat can rediscover the kind of form that has seen him tally 11 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions this season so far.

A single goal separated Man United from Benfica when the sides met in Lisbon earlier in the month but, with the home advantage and some key players returning, the Red Devils will be confident that they can see themselves over the line without fuss on Tuesday.