Giggs to start against Benfica

Ryan Giggs was handed only his second start of the season as Alex Ferguson sought instant redemption from the Manchester United supporters who booed him last Saturday.

Emotions boiled over during the home defeat to Blackburn, leaving Ferguson to face the first serious question marks over his illustrious tenure as manager since the dark days of 1989.

Strained relations between the fans and the club were not helped by the comments of Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz, widely believed to be behind the controversial decision to axe the wingers who have traditionally shot up and down the flanks at Old Trafford.

Queiroz attacked the supporters for their outpouring of displeasure.

As if Ferguson did not have enough problems, the loss of Mikael Silvestre to injury meant a first Champions League start for 20-year-old academy product Phil Bardsley, with John O’Shea starting in central defence alongside Rio Ferdinand.