Benfica vs Manchester United - as it happened: Marcus Rashford strike hands visitors all three points

Re-live all the action from the Estadio da Luz

United have won their opening two games in the competition (Getty)

Manchester United travel to Portugal on Wednesday night to face Benfica as Jose Mourinho’s men strive to make it three wins from three in the Champions League so far. The Red Devils have already seen off FC Basel and CSKA Moscow and know victory in Lisbon puts them in an excellent position to top this relatively easy Group A.

The Portuguese side, once managed by Mourinho for just three months, have endured a tough start to the competition, losing both their opening group games - including a 5-0 thumping at the hands of the Swiss. They will not have been boosted by their league form - they sit five points off the pace in the Primeira Liga - but they have picked up one win, a draw and a defeat in their previous three meetings with United at the Estadio da Luz.

Can they pick up an unlikely win this time around?

Follow all the action below:

Here’s everything you need to know about the game:

What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday 18 October.

Where can I watch it?

BT Sport Showcase and BT Sport 2 will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively return to this page for updates from our live blog.

It’s a big game for…

Romelu Lukaku has been criticised for not scoring enough goals against top level opposition (Getty)

Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian centre-forward came in for criticism once again following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool. His detractors pointed to the fact that it was another ‘big game’ in which he had failed to score, although in reality United’s game plan hardly provided him with the best opportunities to get on the scoresheet, such were their defensive priorities. A couple of goals in Europe’s elite competition would be a good reminder for everyone of his quality.

Player to watch…

(AFP/Getty Images)

Victor Lindelof. The Swedish centre-back moved for big money between these clubs in the summer but has found playing time hard to come by at Old Trafford. He arrived with a big reputation, and was closely monitored by Mourinho for some time, but a series of shaky performances in pre-season means he has only been trusted with four competitive starts. Two of those have come in the Champions League and he may well be given another chance tonight in familiar surrounds. Can he prove a point?

Form…

Benfica: WDLWD

Man Utd: DWWWW

Odds…

Benfica: 18/5

Draw: 13/5

Man Utd: 5/6

[18 October 2017 17:50 · Evan Bartlett]

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Wednesday night's Champions League action.

We'll be focusing on the clash between Benfica and Manchester United at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon but there will also be updates from all the games across Europe - including Chelsea vs Roma and Bayern Munich vs Celtic.

[18 October 2017 18:26 · Liam Corless]

Team news from around Europe to follow in around five minutes' time.

[18 October 2017 18:28 · Liam Corless]

Andy Cole gives his Benfica vs United prediction

[18 October 2017 18:34 · Liam Corless]

Manchester United team to face Benfica confirmed

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Herrera, Matic; Mkhitaryan, Mata, Rashford; Lukaku

Subs: Romero, Darmian, Jones, McTominay, Lingard, Young, Martial

[18 October 2017 18:38 · Liam Corless]

Celtic team to face Bayern Munich confirmed

[18 October 2017 18:41 · Liam Corless]

Chelsea team to face Roma confirmed

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Cahill, Zappacosta; Fabregas, Bakayoko; Alonso, Hazard, Morata

Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Scott, Kenedy, Pedro, Willian, Batshuayi

[18 October 2017 18:44 · Liam Corless]

Can Celtic stun the five-time European champions after their impressive win away to Anderlecht last time out?

[18 October 2017 18:50 · Liam Corless]

United's U19s rescue a point in Uefa Youth League

Manchester United have already played Benfica once today - in the Uefa Youth League.

The Red Devils were 2-0 down at one stage but a couple of second-half goals from Joshua Bohui (pictured) rescued them a point.

[18 October 2017 18:57 · Liam Corless]

What has Jose Mourinho been saying this week?

Jose Mourinho hit the headlines earlier this week when he revealed his admiration for PSG and admitted he doesn't envisage himself ending his managerial career at Manchester United.

However, in his press conference on Tuesday, the Portuguese said he has no intention of leaving the Red Devils any time soon - despite his provocative comments.

“I think you English media have the answer for that because on one day it says I am going to sign a five-year contract worth £1bn per season and then the next day you say that I am leaving and going to PSG – I think that is the answer,” said Mourinho, who is yet to open talks on an extension to his current United contract which is due to expire at the end of next season.

“The answer is that nothing is happening; I am not signing a new five-year contract and I am not leaving for PSG.

“I am at Man United and that is it. I have a contract I don't think there is an answer for that.”

[18 October 2017 19:02 · Liam Corless]

Jose Mourinho and his players arrived at the Stadium of Light (no, not that one!) a short while ago.