Preview: Manchester United vs. Benfica
Manchester United could seal a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare when they welcome Benfica to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Jose Mourinho's side lead the way in Group A with three wins from three, whereas Benfica have lost all three of their games and find themselves on the brink of elimination.
Man Utd
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Having only qualified for the Champions League by virtue of their Europa League success last season, Manchester United have so far made the most of their return to the biggest stage in European club football.
The Red Devils have not dropped a single point on their way to top spot in Group A, scoring eight goals in their three outings and conceding just one in the process to leave themselves on the verge of the knockout stages.
Another victory on Tuesday would clinch a place in the last 16 should CSKA Moscow fail to beat Basel in the group's other game, while even a draw would be enough if CSKA lose in Switzerland.
Mourinho's side will certainly be favourites to hold up their end of the bargain having lost just one of their last 15 European outings, with that defeat coming at the hands of Champions League holders Real Madrid in August's UEFA Super Cup clash.
Madrid were also the last team to beat United at home in European competition, doing so during the 2012-13 Champions League last 16. Since then, United have won 15 and drawn four of their 19 European home outings, while in all competitions it is now 36 matches since they tasted defeat in front of their own fans, stretching all the way back to September 2016.
Last season was a tale of frustration at Old Trafford for the most part due to the number of points dropped in draws, but so far this term they have won all seven of their home matches across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and conceding only one in the process.
The most recent of those was a narrow 1-0 victory over fellow title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, with Anthony Martial scoring the only goal of the game to consolidate United's position in second place and keep them five points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The result also saw them return to winning ways in the Premier League following their shock defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town the previous weekend - a result which remains their only loss in their last 15 outings, while they have also kept 11 clean sheets in that time.
It may be premature to suggest that the glory days are on their way back to Old Trafford, but their current form is the best since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and meetings with Benfica will always evoke memories of some of their greatest moments - from the night George Best was dubbed 'El Beatle' in 1966 to their first European Cup triumph two years later.
The reverse fixture a fortnight ago will not live as long in the memory, but another win on Tuesday could prove to be a notable moment in the club's recent history should it be enough to see them reach the knockout stages of the competition.
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