Manchester United
Reuters

After a convincing 4-2 win against Stoke City, Manchester United returns to Champions League action by welcoming Portuguese side Sporting Braga to Old Trafford.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7:45 pm BST. Live coverage will be available on UTV, iTV 1 and iTV HD4.

Overview

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are currently at the top of Group H with two wins from their first two games against Turkish champions Galatasaray and Romanian holders CFR Cluj, while the visitors sit third as they started their campaign with loss to Cluj and a win against Galatasaray.

In the Premier League, United currently sit second in the table with 18 points from eight matches, four behind early leaders Chelsea. And with a visit to Stamford Bridge scheduled for the weekend, Ferguson is expected to rest a few key players for this midweek game. Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be keen to clinch all three points against Braga to maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe and also avoid last season's mistakes, which saw them making an early exit from the competition.

Braga, on the other hand are third in the Portuguese Liga table with 11 points from six matches. The Minho Warriors did not have a league fixture since the international break but did play a domestic cup game against Leixoes, which they won 3-0.

Braga striker Eder
Reuters

Form Guide

Manchester United

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W L W
  • Last Result: Manchester United 4-2 Stoke City

Sporting Braga

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W D W W W
  • Last Result: Sporting Braga 3-0 Leixoes

Team News

Manchester United: After an early-season crisis, Ferguson's injury list has shrunk after the international break. England international Ashley Young returns after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of action for two months and is expected to start this clash. But the Red Devils' worries at the back continue, as centre-backs Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling remain sidelined, although the latter is now nearing return. Ferguson revealed that Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra will be rested for this game, so youngster Scott Wootton and new signing Alexander Buttner could both start at the back.

With a crucial game against Chelsea coming up next, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie could all be benched for this midweek game, having played the full 90 minutes against Stoke. Meanwhile, Ferguson has Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa, Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Nani and Chicarito ready to start this game, after missing out the first XI against the Potters.

Sporting Braga: Jose Peseiro does not have any new injury or suspension worries and has a strong squad to pick from. Braga play a fluid, attacking 4-2-3-1 system and the manager has few selection head-aches, as they go into this game. Ruben Micael, Helder Barbosa, Marcio Mossoro and Ruben Amorim all seem to be in fine form and will compete with skipper Alan for a place in support of lone striker Eder.

Possible Starting Line-ups

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Rafael, Wootton, Evans, Buttner; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Kagawa; Chicharito

Braga (4-2-3-1): Beto; Baiano, Douglao, Vinicius, Elderson; Custodio, Viana; Alan, Mossoro, Micael; Eder