Manchester United are currently on a 19-game undefeated run at home in European competition (15 wins, four draws), with their most recent defeat coming in March of 2013 against Real Madrid.
Thus it seems extremely likely they’ll secure at least one point, if not three, when they take on Benfica on Halloween night at Old Trafford in a UEFA Champions League group stage clash. A win could almost clinch United’s place in the knockout round, and if/when Mourinho gets them there, he will have achieved a milestone his predecessor Louis van Gaal never did during his time at the club.
For this match, United will be without the services of Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba. Fellaini’s injury, sustained while on the last international break, appears to be much more serious than initially diagnosed because the original time table has long passed. Regarding Pogba, Mourinho spoke out about that situation yesterday, and Lord only knows when the flashy midfielder will return, because Mourinho admits that he has no idea.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo remain long term absentees for United.
On the other side, Benfica will be without the suspended Luisao and Andre Almeida, and Jardel who is injured.
MUFC starting XI prediction: go to this link
Odds via Sky Bet: United 1/3, Benfica 9/1, draw 19/5
Prediction: United 2, Benfica 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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