Argentinian midfielder Enzo Perez remains a doubt for Benfica due to a knee injury that prevented him from appearing in the weekend's game against Vitoria Guimaraes.
Manchester United have lost Tom Cleverley to a foot injury which could rule him out for a month. Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Rafael (shoulder) and Nemanja Vidic (calf) are all sidelined and Sir Alex Ferguson says he is likely to field a more experienced side in Europe.
MANAGER QUOTES
Jorge Jesus told UEFA.com: "My experience is that whether you are playing Manchester United or Basel, the players' motivation is the same. When you start the match and hear the Champions League anthem, the player is already so charged with adrenaline because he feels he is playing with the very best – so there isn't much difference between Manchester United or, say, Basel."
Sir Alex Ferguson: “The opening game is the toughest for us. Benfica are always a handful and we always expect a difficult game. I watched a couple of their games away from home last season and they were absolutely brilliant. The important thing is to qualify. Benfica away from home is the kind of the game you have to respect.”
MATCH FACTS
Manchester Utd are making their 16th consecutive appearance in the Champions League, the longest current run.
Manchester Utd have won more games than any other club in the history of the Champions League (96, since 1992/93).
Manchester Utd have won six of their seven previous meetings with Benfica in European competition.
The sides famously met in the 1968 final of the European Cup, with United running out 4-1 winners at Wembley (after extra-time).
In their seven previous encounters, Man Utd have scored 19 goals to Benfica’s eight.
Last season, Manchester Utd didn’t concede a single goal in their six away games in the Champions League, collecting five wins and one draw.
Benfica have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Champions League games.
Manchester Utd have won their last three away games in Portugal in the Champions League, all by the same scoreline (1-0).