Rio: Strikeforce is up there with the best

MANCHESTER UNITED’s recent scoring record in the Champions League hardly inspires confidence ahead of their decisive match against Benfica in a fortnight - but Rio Ferdinand insists the team’s strikers bear comparison with any in the world.

United know only victory in Lisbon will suffice if they are to make the knockout stages but they have not won away in the Champions League for two years and have scored only once in their last seven games in the competition.

Alex Ferguson might be more concerned were it not for United’s buoyant league form, and Wayne Rooney in particular continues to enhance his reputation with every match.