Manchester United will know avoiding defeat against Braga in the Champions League on Wednesday will pretty much seal their spot in the knockout stages, and the Red Devils have an added incentive with Sir Alex Ferguson completing 26 years in charge at Old Trafford Tuesday.
United have not been convincing in Europe this season, but have produced the goods when it mattered, which is more than can be said about some of the other English sides in the tournament. The Manchester club lie in first place on nine points from three matches, and will look to follow up the comeback 3-2 victory over Braga, with another positive result in the reverse fixture in Portugal.
Ferguson admitted a win to mark his 26 years in charge and with it seal qualification into the next round, would be a nice present. "Yes, it would be a nice one," Ferguson told Inside United. "And with nine points from the first three games we really should be kicking on and make sure we confirm the number one spot. That's the important thing. It's always good to win your group."
United have one of the best attacking strikeforce in Europe with the likes of Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck all in good form, and Ferguson will again look towards his side's attacking prowess to complete the job against Braga.
"The front players in our home game against Braga would be a handful for any team -- Van Persie, Chicharito and Rooney," Ferguson said. "Having a goal threat like that gives you a backbone."
In the reverse fixture at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago, United fell two goals behind in the first 20 minutes, but thanks to another inspired attacking performance, the home side clawed out a 3-2 victory, which kept them on course for qualification.
Ferguson welcomes Chris Smalling back from injury, with the defender set to make his first appearance of the season after breaking a bone in his foot during preseason. Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes, however, have not travelled.
"Fletcher got a little bit of a cold on Sunday, and there's no point taking him travelling with a cold," Ferguson said. "Scholesy, for the last few games I've been resting him to freshen him up a little bit. I'm just taking care of an old man, that's all."
Braga sit third on the table, one point behind second-placed CFR Cluj, and have everything to play for against United, knowing a win can take them into a stronger position to qualify.
Douglao featured in Braga's Portuguese league game at the weekend after missing three weeks of action, but Paulo Vinicius and Paulo Cesar are ruled out.
Expected lineups: Braga: Beto; Baiano, Nuno Andre Coelho, Dougao, Elderson; Custodio, Viana, Mossoro, Barbosa; Ze Luis, Alan.
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Anderson, Carrick; Valencia, Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez.
Prediction: 3-1 to United
