Manchester United vs Benfica - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men march past Portuguese visitors

Re-live all the action from Old Trafford

Matic's strike hit the post before bouncing off Svilar into the goal (Getty)

Manchester United host Benfica for their fourth Champions League group match on Tuesday night expecting to continue a 100 per cent winning record.

Having clinched a 1-0 victory against the Portuguese champions last time out, United will be seeking their fourth straight win in the competition this season. Another three points here, if CSKA Moscow also fail to beat FC Basel in the evening’s other Group A fixture, would be enough to secure qualification to the last-16 of the competition.

United have reasons to be confident of achieving this feat for the first time since 2013. Although boss Jose Mourinho continues to be hampered by several absences – including Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini - Saturday’s solid 1-0 victory against title rivals Tottenham will have reassured that even a weakened XI are still more than capable of grinding out an important result.

On this evidence, and given the importance of United’s trip to Chelsea in the league on Sunday, don’t be surprised if Mourinho rests some other big names for this, comparatively low-pressure, fixture.

Benfica, sitting bottom of Group A after three losses in a row, can only realistically target Europa League qualification from their remaining games. However, with two league wins in the past fortnight, they will be hoping to improve upon their dismal performance against United in Lisbon on 18 October.

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What time does it start?

Manchester United vs Benfica kicks off at 19:45.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 3 from 19:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.

It’s a big game for…

Mile Svilar. The promising 18-year old keeper made a nightmarish error to gift United victory two weeks ago, carrying the ball over the line from a Marcus Rashford free kick. Although the visibly-distraught Belgian was comforted by United players after the game on that evening, he will nonetheless be hoping for a better performance at Old Trafford, and is understood to have been given the chance to atone for his errors by Benfica boss Rui Vitoria.

Mile Svilar will be looking to atone for his sins (Getty)

Remember when…

… and that was in December 2005, when United were knocked out away from home by the Portuguese team in the Champions League Round of 16. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo – ex-Sporting Lisbon winger – was retroactively banned for making an offensive gesture towards the home fans.

Player to watch…

Anthony Martial. The mercurial Frenchman has had a mixed start to the season. Although he has the best goals-per-minute ratio of any United player (100), he has only started six games in all competitions. He will be hoping to follow up on his calmly-taken goal against Spurs at the weekend to secure a starting place.

Anthony Martial celebrates scoring the winning goal as Manchester United beat Tottenham 1-0 (Getty)

Past three meetings…

Benfica 0 Manchester United 1 (Rashford), October 2017

Manchester United 2 (Berbatov, Fletcher) Benfica 2 (Jones (OG), Aimar), November 2011

Benfica 1 (Cardozo) Manchester United 1 (Giggs), September 2011

Form guide…

Manchester United: WDWLWW

Benfica: WLDLWW

Odds…

Manchester United: 33/100

Benfica: 19/5

Draw: 17/2

[31 October 2017 19:09 · Jack Watson]

Good evening and welcome to another night of Champions League football. Both Manchester United and Chelsea can qualify for the knockout stage of the competition tonight, so if things go well, fans could be booking time off work for mid-February come full time.

[31 October 2017 19:11 · Jack Watson]

Team news

Scott McTominay makes a surprise start for Manchester United alongside Nemanja Matic. Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford start on the bench.

[31 October 2017 19:13 · Jack Watson]

Team News

N'Golo Kante is not fit enough to play for Chelsea. Antonio Conte hinted he could feature but he is not in the squad. Danny Drinkwater is named on the bench.

[31 October 2017 19:22 · Jack Watson]

Scott McTominay

Manchester United's latest academy gem is Scott McTominay who is making his Champions League debut tonight after impressing in the League Cup against Swansea and Burton. He signed for Manchester United as a striker when he was just five years old, yes you read that right!

[31 October 2017 19:34 · Jack Watson]

"He is ready"

Jose Mourinho to BT Sport: "We have only 3 midfield players and we managed to give 60 minutes rest for Matic when we played Swansea. Herrera is playing every match so it's time for him to have a little break. 

On Scott McTominay: "Today is a big match and a big occasion for him. If we play him, we believe that his answer can be positive and he is ready."

[31 October 2017 19:41 · Jack Watson]

What do United need?

If Manchester United are through to the last 16 if they beat Benfica tonight and CSKA Moscow fail to beat Basil. A draw will be enough to United if they draw and CSKA Moscow lose.

[31 October 2017 19:44 · Jack Watson]

The teams are emerging from the tunnel and kick off is minutes away. We'll be providing minute-by-minute coverage on Manchester United vs Benfica as well as updates from Chelsea's clash with Rome. 

Ahhh the Champions League anthem. That beautiful song will never get old.

[31 October 2017 19:47 · Jack Watson]

1 min: And they're offf. Manchester United kick off matchday four in the Champions League.

[31 October 2017 19:48 · Jack Watson]

2 mins: Juan Mata has started in an right attacking midfield role leaving Jesse Lingard at number 10.

[31 October 2017 19:50 · Jack Watson]

Goal!

Roma 1-0 Chelsea

Chelsea have got off to the worst possible start against Roma. Stephan El Shaaray has put the hosts ahead after just 38 seconds.