Manchester United will hope to celebrate qualification for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League by beating Benfica at Old Trafford.
Home win could secure last-16 spot for Ferguson's side
Manchester United will hope to celebrate qualification for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League by beating Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils endured a stuttering start to the group phase, but know victory over Benfica, coupled with Basel's failure to win away to Otelul Galati, would secure top spot.
Last season's beaten finalists started Group C with a 1-1 draw away to Benfica before snatching a 3-3 home draw with Swiss side Basel.
Back-to-back 2-0 wins over minnows Galati have put United in a strong position to progress and Ferguson will look to get the job done when Benfica visit.
United beat Benfica to win their first European Cup back in 1968 and Ferguson is aware of the memories facing the Portuguese side will stir among supporters.
Memories
"We will try to do justice to the memory of Sir Matt's tussles with Benfica in the old days because people of vision are rare," Ferguson told
United Review.
"The memories of many Manchester United supporters will fly back to those early days in European competition when George Best mesmerised Portugal's finest in the Stadium of Light, and then ultimately to the night Sir Matt Busby achieved his European dream in 1968 to make United the first English club to win the European Cup.
"Europe runs deep in the psyche of Manchester United and Benfica evokes these memories."
Ferguson is optimistic striker Wayne Rooney will be fit for the game after he sat out training on Monday and he could start alongside Javier Hernandez.
Captain Nemanja Vidic is suspended as a result of his sending off in the away win over Galati so, providing he shakes off a minor injury, Jonny Evans is expected to partner Rio Ferdinand in defence.
Chris Smalling is close to returning from a toe injury and Danny Welbeck is a doubt, but Anderson and Tom Cleverley are definitely on the sidelines.
Michael Owen is out until Christmas after hurting his hamstring in the opening stages of the recent home win over Galati, while Dimitar Berbatov will hope to be given a rare start.
Benfica also have qualification to the last 16 in their sights and are aware that victory will ensure Jorge Jesus' side finish top of the group.
Following the opening draw with United, Benfica beat Galati and Basel away from home before being held by the Swiss outfit in their last encounter.
Jesus will be without Argentinian playmaker Javier Saviola due to a knee injury, while Enzo Perez and former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic are also absent.
