Mourinho’s men form vs Benfica enduring poor form - Champions League group

 


Victory for the Red Devils will see them keep their place atop of Group A, potentially opening up a five-point lead over the second place; provided that CSKA Moscow and Basel play out a draw.
When comparing Man United’s recent form to their Portuguese opponents, there’s only one winner.

Benfica enduring poor form

Benfica is rock bottom of Group A, without a point from opening two games after losing 2-1 at home to CSKA Moscow and 5-0 away to Basel. It’s not only Champions League form which has disappointed though, as the Primeira Liga club is short of wins in all competitions. Rui Vitoria’s side have recorded just two victories in last seven games.

Having kept just one clean sheet in the domestic league since August, Benfica’s defensive record leaves a lot to be desired. Vitoria’s men have also failed to win two consecutive games during that time. So, if Man United’s superior form isn’t enough to earn the favourites tag, the head-to-head record between the two clubs certainly is.

United has dominated past meetings

Manchester United and Benfica have meet nine times in total, six in the last 11 years. The outcome has largely been the same. The Portuguese side have managed just one win, suffered six defeats and picked up two draws. The last time the two clubs collided was in 2011/12 Champions League group stages; however, it’s difficult to see Wednesday’s game resulting in a stalemate as it did on that occasion.
Jose Mourinho will be keen to secure qualification to the knockout stages at the earliest possible moment. He would then have the chance to rest first-team players for domestic matters. With Benfica struggling of late, the United boss will view this encounter as an opportunity to put his side on the brink.

Mourinho’s men in fine form

Manchester United sit top of Group A, with six points from two games after beating FC Basel 3-0 at home and CSKA Moscow 4-1 away. The Red Devils have won nine and drawn two of last 11 games in all competitions, conceding only four goals.
The United manager is returning to a club he once managed, havingleft in acrimonious circumstance after a fallout with the then-new club president. Mourinho will be keen to get one over his former side, and he has the tools to do so.
Mourinho’s Champions League record is outstanding – 73 wins from 135 matches and just 28 defeats – he will be determined to pick up his fifth European honour come the season’s end.
The United manager last won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010; however, the semi-finals with Real Madrid and the last 16 while at Chelsea is the closest he’s come to replicating past success. This season may be different though. A comfortable victory over Benfica puts Man United on nine points from three games – a place in the knockout stages all but secured. Could Mourinho’s side then advance to the competition’s finale in Ukraine?