Manchester United have rested much of their first-choice side for their first continental match of the new season. Of their preferred starters, only Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney find themselves on the pitch to take on Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. Gone too is the usual 4-4-1-1 shape, Sir Alex Ferguson opting to take a more cautious approach to what should be a tough European match - three midfielders have been deployed instead.
Benfica Vs. Manchester United, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Lineups
Benfica, meanwhile, have changed their usual plan as well. Out is the loose 4-4-2 shapes that last year’s Europa League semi-finalists have tended to favour so far this year, and in is a 4-3-2-1 featuring Pablo Aimar and Nicolas Gaitan behind striker Oscar Cardozo. It’s a relatively cautious approach from the hosts, but with Manchester United in such fine form as of late, who can blame them?
Benfica (4-3-2-1): Artur; Emerson, Luisao, Ezeqiel Garay, Maxi Pereira; Alex Witsel, Javi Garcia, Ruben Amorin; Pablo Aimar, Nicolas Gaitan; Oscar Cardozo.
Substitutes: Javier Saviola, Eduardo, Nemanja Matic, Rodrigo, Jardel, Nolito, Bruno Cesar
Manchester United (4-5-1): Anders Lindegaard; Patrice Evra, Johnny Evans, Chris Smalling, Fabio da Silva; Park Ji-Sung, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia; Wayne Rooney.
Substitutes: David de Gea, Phil Jones, Nani, Anderson, Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov.
For Manchester United-specific coverage of the match, check out The Busby Babe. Keep it on our Benfica vs. Manchester United StoryStream for live updates during the match as well as post-match coverage. Check out SB Nation Soccer for news and updates on all of the UEFA Champions League action.
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