Injuries have destabilised United's midfield - Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says injuries to the Manchester United squad can "unsettle the balance of the team at times", citing problems for Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick as having destabilised his midfield this season.

Ferguson reveals Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney are both carrying knocks but should be available for their Champions League Group C game against Portuguese league leaders Benfica, but rules defender Chris Smalling out of contention.

Ferguson predicts "an open match" between the sides, adding "it's a big game, a game that we recognise as a real European game with the history between us".

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