How Manchester United should line up vs Benfica
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Oct 18, 2017 9:00 AM
Manchester United are looking to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League this season as they take on Portuguese side Benfica.
Jose Mourinho and a 22-man squad travelled to Lisbon on Monday ahead of the third group game of this campaign.
Eric Bailly's still unavailable after picking up an injury on international duty and although Marcos Rojo travelled with the squad to Portugal he will not feature.
Mourinho declared it would be 'easy for you to guess' which team he will pick due to injuries, but here's who our writers would start.
Samuel Luckhurst
Alex Porter
Mourinho has few options in midfield, meaning Matic and Herrera are almost required starters in the centre of the park. An injury to either would leave the manager with a real problem.
Moving Young away from the full back position where he has excelled recently did not work at Anfield, and he should return to left back.
Lukaku needs to start again after his frustrating afternoon against Liverpool, and it is Rashford's turn to start on the left wing. Mkhitaryan was anonymous last time out and United's line-up can benefit from Lingard's energy.
Charlotte Duncker
After the bore draw against Liverpool three names should definitely be on the team sheet against Benfica. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were solid at the back and with the absence of Eric Bailly should start together again at the back.
While De Gea is a certain starter every week.
The left wing argument should continue in the same way it has all season with Marcus Rashford switching with Anthony Martial.
Much has been said about Romelu Lukaku's 'off day' but there's absolutely no reason why he shouldn't start.
As Mourinho said he's not got many options for central midfield so Herrera and Matic should partner each other in the middle.
Jones and Smalling should start again together.