Nani believes the contest for supremacy in Champions League Group C at Old Trafford tonight will be won and lost in midfield.

The Portuguese winger feels the department staffed by the likes of his countryman David Simao, Javi Garcia from neighbouring Spain and Argentina international Pablo Aimar is the strongest unit in the Benfica side.

“I think their strongest point is their midfield. If we are able to control the midfield, then I am sure we have a good chance to have a positive result,” said Nani at the pre-match press conference.

“I’m sure Benfica will play some good football but with a lot of care as well because they know they are playing away at our ground. We will do our best to get the positive result that we aim for.”

Nani admits that tonight’s match has special significance for him, as alumni of Sporting Lisbon – Benfica’s local rivals.

“When I played against Benfica for Sporting Lisbon, the games were like United against Manchester City. They were always tough games. My record is okay - I lost one game, won one game, drew another. Of course I used to enjoy it when we beat Benfica. I hope I can win again this time.”

Ji-sung Park believes Benfica will provide stern opposition in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The Lisbon-based side are unbeaten in all competitions this season and were good value for a point in the opening Group C fixture between the two teams. After United posted two wins on the board with back-to-back victories against Otelul Galati, the opportunity is there to now see off the Eagles' challenge.

"I look forward to it because, in the early part of the Champions League, we couldn’t get a win in the first couple of games," said the South Korean midfielder. "But we got into the winning mood against Otelul Galati and now we have to keep that going.

"Benfica are a good team – they play well as a team, they do not rely on individuals, so we have to focus on all of their players. We don’t know their players very well because we only meet them in the Champions League but we know how they play because we’ve played them in Portugal already. We couldn’t get a win over there but we are at home at Old Trafford so we hope to perform well, get a good result and go through in the Champions League."

Park is pleased to be back in the starting XI on a regular basis but admits he is always looking to push on.

"I’m satisfied, but I always try to improve myself, to be better than yesterday," he added. "I just keep trying to improve myself and help the team to win the game. I feel pretty good and we still have a long season ahead so hopefully I will have no injuries and can keep helping the team win the games."

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be fit to face Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday, despite missing the Reds’ Monday morning training session.

Rooney was not among the 24 outfield players put through their paces at Carrington less than 36 hours before the Champions League Group C clash, but the manager allayed fears the striker had picked up a serious injury when he told media at UEFA’s pre-match press conference that the no.10 should be fine for the game.

"We've got one or two knocks from Saturday," explained the boss. "Jonny Evans has some tightness in his hamstring but will hopefully be okay tomorrow. Wayne's got a few knocks and missed training today but should be okay. Chris Smalling trained this morning but won't be available for tomorrow - he should be okay for Saturday [against Newcastle] and Anderson is out injured."

The manager recognises the importance of the fixture against Benfica and feels it's important to top the group.

"It's a big game," he enthused. "We recognise it's a real European game with the history between Benfica and ourselves. We've had a number of great games in the past and, of course, it always sticks in the memory bank.

"In the first game, I thought we did really well possession-wise and it was a deserved result [1-1]. In the last 15 minutes, they threatened quite a bit and it's a really interesting game tomorrow because both teams want to win, obviously, which should make it an open match. Hopefully, we'll get the result we want.

"Probably the bonus coming out of it is if we do finish top [of the group]. One issue is the teams you'll play but the other one is the second leg is at home at Old Trafford. It's always an advantage so it's always been our intention to finish top. That's not always been the case as we've finished second several times but, with the quality of the teams, it doesn't make a great difference. It could make a little difference and the main advantage, to my mind, is having the second leg at Old Trafford."

Sir Alex admits injuries have unsettled United this season but accepts they are just part and parcel of the game.

The Reds have responded to the 6-1 defeat by City with five straight victories on the back of five clean sheets and yet have still faced some criticism for not playing the exciting football that was on show at the start of the campaign.

The boss knows exactly how to go about winning the Barclays Premier League and is happy with the way the champions are playing.

"I think we've made some changes to the team at the start of the season," he explained. "Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling got injured and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were injured in the first game. So there were quite a few changes you don't envisage.

"You see everyone fit and fresh in pre-season and, going through the tour of the States, there was not one injury and then you're hit with a whole host [of them]. It doesn't disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team at times.

"Sometimes we have to rethink which team we need to win a match and sometimes, when the team is in full flow, you don't need to worry about that. We've had a few issues but hopefully we're gradually getting over them and, once we get the players back in again, we'll be okay."

Sir Alex is satisifed with how his troops are performing as the Reds remain in second place in the table behind leaders City.

"I think the players addressed the situation well," he added. "The collective thing has been good and, at this stage of the season, what we try to do now is get through to the New Year and be near the top. Being at the top would be fine but if we're near to the top, it presents us with an opportunity.

"We never looked like losing the match at Swansea. We were always in control, which is good away from home in the Premier League. If you're controlling games, you're doing a good job."