Manchester United's UEFA Champions League campaign begins with a trip to Portugal to face Benfica.
Ferguson likely to name an experienced side in Portugal
Sir Alex Ferguson embarks on yet another UEFA Champions League campaign as Manchester United go to Benfica on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils are looking to go one better this season after losing 3-1 to Barcelona in the final back in May.
The Premier League champions head into the competition with confidence, having made a faultless start to their domestic season, sitting first after scoring 18 goals in four straight wins.
Their opening game sees a rematch of the 1968 final, when Manchester United claimed their first European Cup with a win against the Portuguese outfit.
Since then, the Old Trafford side have won the tournament twice, in 1999 and 2008 respectively.
Ferguson will make changes to the side that comprehensively beat Bolton 5-0 on Saturday, with Sunday's crunch clash against Chelsea looming.
Team news
Rio Ferdinand will miss out as he has not travelled to Portugal despite making a return to action at the Reebok Stadium.
It is thought that the central defender is being rested ahead of the weekend's game at Old Trafford.
Nemanja Vidic is also still out through injury so Phil Jones is expected to make his Champions League debut alongside Jonny Evans.
However, there is no place in the squad for young duo Federico Macheda or Mame Biram Diouf, who scored two goals for the reserves on Monday.
It means some of the more experienced players are likely to play a part against the Primeira Liga runners-up of last season.
Michael Owen is included in the travelling party, while Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs are in line for their first starts of the season.
Benfica have also made an unbeaten start to their season after four games, but already trail champions Porto by two points.
Boss Jorge Jesus has no injury concerns ahead of the visit of Manchester United and is likely to play former Barcelona striker Nolito in his starting line-up.
Brazilian midfielder Bruno Cesar should also start and Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay will play a part.
