Stan James on Manu vs Benfica

Man United v Benfica PreviewStan James PricesMan United???.1/3Draw?????..10/3Benfica?????15/2Sir Alex must realise the importance of a win here. After being booed off on Saturday he knows that the fans are beginning to turn on him a little and he needs to give them something to smile about. But?.and it's a big but??he's going to have to rely on some inexperienced players to pull it off for him.Take one look at the United side tonight and you can see that they are under strength. They have no Keane, no Wes Brown, no Quinton Fortune and possibly no John O'Shea. The back four just might be vulnerable and we could see a few goals. Up front they are without Wayne Rooney who's suspended. In fact United are on a pretty desperate streak at the moment, having not scored in their last four Champions League matches. Lucky Benfica have conceded at least goal in each of their last six away games in Europe. Something has to give?.. Over two goals is a 4/5 shot and I can see it happening. However you have to suspect that Fergie will come through this tonight. This is a team that will create chances and so long as they get a smidgen of luck they could easily score a few. Do not underestimate what Europe means to a club like Man Utd. They must get through to at least the later phase and nothing else will do for the Old Trafford faithful.Benfica have lost all three of their previous encounters with Man Utd and they are coming into the game on the back of an indifferent start in their domestic league. They currently lie in eighth in the league, six points behind the leaders FC Porto. Their defence seems to be a problem and they have conceded far too many goals. They are going to have to perform tonight if they are to keep the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Giggs and Ronaldo out.On the face of it the 1/3 about United might seem short, but I suspect they'll come out guns blazing tonight. Man Utd / Man Utd is a 4/5 shot or you can bet them on the handicap of minus one goal at Evs. They will want to win this for Fergie and the Portuguese could just be on the end of a Red backlash.