Carrick back for United

Michael Carrick was restored to Manchester United’s midfield for their crucial final Champions League Group F clash against Benfica at Old Trafford.

The England international replaced Darren Fletcher with the other change to the line-up which beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the Barclays Premiership at the weekend coming at left-back with Patrice Evra coming in for Gabriel Heinze.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and midfielder Paul Scholes both made their 100th appearances in European competition as United went in search of the point which would guarantee them a place in the knock-out stages.

Benfica, who knocked United out of the competition with a 2-1 victory in Portugal exactly a year ago, made four changes to the team United beat 1-0 back in September.

Nelson, Nuno Assis, Fabrizio Miccoli and Ricardo Rocha all came with Alcides, Anderson, Georgios Karagounis and Paulo Jorge making way as the Portuguese went for the win which would take them through at United’s expense.