UEFA

 BY Ushindi Zabron

Sir Alex Ferguson leads his team to Portugal with him going into his 27th year in charge of his beloved Manchester United tomorrow evening to play their second group match against SC Braga. Braga were quite an attacking side at Old Trafford two weeks ago with them going two goals up inside the first 20 minutes. It took two goals from Javier Hernandez and one from Jonny Evans to give United the three points and nearly guarantee them a place in the knockout stages which commence next year.

Manchester United are in some great form at the moment, despite a flurry of goals being conceded. They have now not lost a league match since the 3-2 result against Tottenham back in September. United have won 8 matches out of the 10 matches that have been played in the league this season, beating Liverpool at Anfield, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal at Old Trafford. These three results are great for United, who face up to their bitter rivals on the 9th December at the Etihad.

Braga have had some great results in the Portuguese league and now stand third in the table, so it just shows that they are not an easy team to beat, as we found out at Old Trafford two weeks ago. A result in Portugal for United tomorrow and Sir Alex Ferguson will be able to put some youth players in the squad for the remaining two group matches.

Players to watch:

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie: Manchester United’s modern-day Yorke and Cole were meant for each other. In the matches they have played in together, they have notched up 6 goals and 8 assists, which is a great achievement. When these two play well together, opposition defenders struggle to catch them and stop them scoring. Rooney seems to play better in a midfield role. If Sir Alex Ferguson played the diamond formation, I feel these two will be on an endless hunt for goals throughout the match.

Éder and Alan: The Portuguese striker has already scored four goals in the league this season, but their play-maker is Alan. Alan is a tricky right-winger with a fantastic final delivery of the ball. He got himself seven domestic assists last season so he was among the best that season. Both have stepped up this season since Lima left the club on transfer deadline day. Manchester United will be in for a tough ride tomorrow night if these two players want to shine on European football’s biggest stage.

About the opposition manager:

José Peseiro was an instant hit with Braga fans after he secured UEFA Champions League group stage qualification in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Udinese back in August. Braga are now performing in the most lucrative competition in world football. Peseiro was the manager of Sporting was once assistant to former Reds coach Carlos Queiroz at Real Madrid.

Manchester United UEFA Champions League 2012/13:
Wednesday 19th September 2012 – Galatasaray – W 1-0 – Scored by Michael Carrick 7′
Tuesday 2nd October 2012 – CFR Cluj – W 2-1 – Scored by Robin van Persie 29′, 49′
Tuesday 23rd October 2012 – SC Braga – W 3-2 – Scored by Javier Hernandez 25′, 75′, Jonny Evans 62′
SC Braga UEFA Champions League 2012/13:
Wednesday 19th September 2012 – CFR Cluj – L 0-2
Tuesday 2nd October 2012 – Galatasaray – W 2-0 – Scored by Rúben Micael 27′ and Alan 90′
Tuesday 23rd October 2012 – Manchester United – L 3-2 – Scored by Alan 2′, 20′
Group H Table: