Manchester United Vs. Benfica Team News
By Jake Knox
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho facing a selection headache for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Benfica in Lisbon.
Jose Mourinho has admitted that he’s short of options to face Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. The Manchester United manager has said it would be easy for the press to guess his starting lineup.
The injuries seem to have been steadily building for Mourinho’s team over the past few weeks. Joining long-term absentees Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are Marouane Fellaini and Eric Bailly.
Bailly is still out with the injury picked up on International duty with Ivory Coast.
Watch EPL for FREE on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!
The good news for Mourinho and United fans is that Marcus Rojo has travelled with the squad to Portugal. However, the Argentinan is not quite ready to play and has travelled with the squad to train.
More from Manchester United News
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
- Mike Phelan blasts Manchester United teammates over Ronaldo exit
Mourinho told MUTV the manager said: “Rojo is not coming to play but he is coming with the team to train today with the group. Tomorrow, individually, but he’s coming [back].
“I would say, probably in two weeks, Marcos is ready to play. There is no Bailly – he was injured in the national team.”
Luke Shaw has also travelled with the squad after the defender came through another reserve game recently.
Starting Lineup
Mourinho was asked about his starting lineup but declined to comment then went on to say.
“Firstly, because the players don’t know yet but, secondly, we have so many injuries, I think that should be something that you can view with almost a guarantee of success because our options are so few that it is easy for you to guess the XI.”
United currently sit top of Group A after 2 victories against Basel and CSKA Moscow. A victory on Wednesday night will almost secure qualification to the last 16.
United have not reached the knock out stages of the competition since the 2013/2014 campaign. although they have only appeared in the competition twice since then.
Opponents Benfica, however, face a must-win game after failing to register a point so far in the group stages.
Next: Manchester United Player Ratings: Defensive stalemate ends 0-0 against Liverpool
They are currently third in the Portuguese 1st division and have lost only a solitary game this season.