On to tonight's action now where, following his team's stalemate with Liverpool on Saturday, Jose Mourinho will return to where it all began later tonight when his Manchester United team face Portuguese Champions Benfica. The weekend's draw saw the coach come under criticism for setting the Red Devils up too defensively. But, that tactic may not work in the Estadio da Luz, a place where tonight's opponents haven't lost in nearly two years. Mike Fox has more.

 

Playing Benfica usually brings back happy memories for Manchester United fans. That 4-1 win in 1968 saw the Salford club win their first European cup against a powerhouse of the beautiful game. 49 years on and its the Premier League club who have grown in stature far more than their European counterparts. Benfica sit bottom of group A and will come all out against United to get their Champions League campaign up and running.

 

ASHLEY YOUNG MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER "No we're expecting a tough game. Obviously, they have not had such a good start in the Champions League but when Manchester United turn up. It's going to be a different story."

 

When Mourinho started his managerial career here in the year 2000, even the special one couldn't have imagined what he would go on to achieve. 17 years on and there is still speculation surrounding his future.

 

JOSE MOURINHO MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER "It says I'm going to sign a five year contract, one billion pounds per season and then the next day you say that I'm leaving and I'm going to Paris Saint-Germain. I think that's the answer, the answer is exactly that nothing is happening. I'm not signing a new five year contract and I'm not leaving to Paris Saint-Germain. I am at Manchester United, I have a contract and that's it."

 

Over in Spain, history certainly favors first placed Barcelona for their group D match with bottom side Olympiacos at the Nou Camp. The Catalans have never lost against the Greek Superleague winners who are without a win in the competition this year. Barca coach Ernest Valverde, who is also returning to a former club, knows a win will see his side more or less through to the knock-out, where they will need all the confidence they can get .

 

ERNESTO VALVERDE BARCELONA COACH "We have given a lot of importance to this match, aside from the fact that Olympiacos have not yet won, this is a fundamental game because it will see us reach nine points. That would take us to the second round with more confidence especially if we pick up more points. But we focus on the game - that is most important for now."

 

Also in action tonight are Anderlcht hosting PSG in group B. That Pool also sees Celtic at Bayern Munich while Chelsea welcome Roma to Stamford Bridge and Qarabag travel to Atletico Madrid in group C. The other match in group A sees CSKA Moscow face Basel and the Group B line up is completed by Juventus and Sporting Lisbon. Mike Fox CGTN.