Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Champions League Group H clash between Manchester United and Braga at Old Trafford.
United have secured two wins from their opening two group matches against Galatasaray and Cluj to top the group, while Braga sit third having lost to Cluj and beaten Galatasaray.
Victory for United would put them in a commanding position after three matches, but they suffered disappointment at home to Braga's domestic rivals Benfica last season.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have an impressive record against Portuguese opposition. They have won 14 and lost just four of their meetings with teams from the Iberian nation.
United also enter the match with six victories from their opening eight matches of the Premier League season, but in their way is Braga outfit that have tasted defeat just once in the Primeira Liga this season.
Please note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Champions League action tomorrow. Until then!
So there we have it. United recover from two goals down to win 3-2 and make it nine points from three games in Group H. What a 90 minutes of football.
Manchester United 3-2 Braga
United have control of possession as we approach the final minute. This one is over. What a turnaround from the home side. But they cannot keep giving away leads.
We will play an additional three minutes at the end of this half. Not a great deal happening at the moment truth be told.
Decent possession from Braga as we enter the final moments. Meanwhile, third change for the away side as Ze Luis replaces Micael.
Slight bit of pressure from the away side as Elderson drifts down the left, but the ball is just too long. Meanwhile, another change for Braga as Alan is replaced by Mossoro.
It's keep-ball for United at the moment as the minutes drift away. I'm not sure if Braga have anything left to give in this one. They sat deeper and deeper - and paid the price.
Chance! So nearly a fourth for United as Nani finds Van Persie in the box, but he fires over from close range. Again it's really bright play.
Bit of a horror from De Gea as he passes it straight to Alan, but United manage to clear the danger. That could have been a costly mistake.
Meanwhile, change for the home side as Hernandez is replaced by Ryan Giggs. Will the Mexican start against Chelsea on Sunday? Braga also make a change as Helder Barbosa replaces Amorim.
Braga have just carried a single threat in this second period. But do not write them off. The home fans are in good voice with little over 10 minutes remaining. United have possession.
Oh my word. This is what you get from watching United. It has been coming. They have been wonderful in this second period. But this one is far from over.
United turn this one around! Brilliant ball from Cleverley as he finds Hernandez in the box and the Mexican thumps his header home.
GOAL! Manchester United 3-2 Braga (Hernandez)
Slight break in play at the moment as Beto receives some treatment on the pitch. I am not sure if he is that hurt to be honest! Wasting time I think. Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
Chance! Another fine chance for United as Hernandez finds Nani in the box, but Beto palms the ball to safety. Is the third coming?
Another half-chance for United as Rafael whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Beto again clears the danger. The United full-back has been brilliant this evening.
Braga really are hanging on at the moment as United continue to push forward. The presence of Rooney on the left has unsettled their right side. De Gea has not seen the ball since conceeding the second.
Braga just cannot get the ball at the moment with United playing some really nice stuff in the attacking third. The home crowd have stayed with them this evening. Little under 25 minutes of normal time to play.
You cannot say that it had not been coming. You would expect United to push on in the remaining 25 minutes. But Braga remain such a threat on the counter.
And there it is! United are back in this as Evans taps home at the second time of asking. Can they turn this one around?
GOAL! Manchester United 2-2 Braga (Evans)
The home supporters continue to drive their team on as Cleverley whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Beto again claims the danger. Surely the goal is coming.
Still United attack down the left as Buttner evades two challenges before behing hacked down. Meanwhile, the ball just would not fall for Hernandez inside the box.
Another sighter for United as Rooney fires a corner towards Nani, but his header is wide of the target. The balance of power had well and truly shifted here. But they still trail.
Half-chance for United as Van Persie whips a powerful free kick towards goal, but Beto thumps the danger clear. It's all one-way traffic at the moment.
United continue to press in the early stages of the half. There is a nice tempo to their passing at the moment. But they face a sea of green shirts that are not moving.
Here's a fact courtesy of Opta Joe: "Man Utd have won just one Champions League game that they have been two goals behind in - 3-2 v Juventus in April 1999."
Really smart work from Nani as he dances into the Braga box before firing an effort towards goal, but it goes behind for a corner. He has added a different dimension in the early stages.
Nani appears to have taken up a role on the left in the early stages of the second period. There is enough attacking talent for United to cause Braga problems. But the Portuguese side remain in the lead.
Here we go then. United kick us off in the second period. Change at the break for United as Nani replaces Kagawa. The Japan interntional appeared to have an injury problem at the end of the half.
United had 56% of the possession in the first period. Meanwhile, both sides had five attempts on goal. It remains to be seen whether United will revert to wingers for the second 45 minutes.
What is it with United and conceding early goals? It seems to be becoming a habit. You would expect them to respond in the second period, but what about the rest of the season?
United have dominated since scoring their opener. However, Braga remain such a threat on the counter with the pace of Alan and Eder. Meanwhile, Cluj lead Galatasaray 1-0 at the break of Group H's other match.
So there we have it. United trail 2-1 at the break to Portuguese outfit Braga. The home side were two-down inside 20 minutes following a brace from Alan. However, Hernandez cut the score to 2-1 five minutes later.
Manchester United 1-2 Braga
It must be said that Braga really are a nice footballing team. They pass with confidence all over the park. They have a half-chance as Viana strikes from outside the box, but it was always high of the crossbar.
Really smart work from United as Rooney and Rafael combine down the right, but the latter's cross is cleared for a corner - which Beto punches clear. Little under three minutes of the half remaining.
Again it's good pressure from United as Van Persie whips a dangerous cross into the middle, but the danger is cleared. Cleverley and Kagawa are just starting to have a say in this match.
Braga have just taken the sting out of the match in the last few moments with a period of possession. They are a really nice side on the ball. But United will be encouraged by their improvement.
Big penalty claim for United as Buttner is felled in the box by Alan, but the referee waves play on. Can the home side level this one before the break? Their passing is sharper.
United continue to pass and probe in the opposing half. They have the ball in the net as Hernandez converts from close range, but the offside flag is raised.
Chance! It's all United at the moment as Van Persie whips a low cross into the box, but Hernandez just cannot make contact. Their big players are starting to play now.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Salino strikes an effort from outside the box, but it is just wide of the target. Such an open match.
Chance! So nearly 2-2 as Rooney finds Van Persie inside the box, but he fires wide of the target. United are starting to take hold of this match. But Braga are always a threat.
Well that changes things! They needed that before the break. Suddenly it's all United. What an opening 30 minutes of football we have had. There is just never a dull moment.
United are back in this as Hernandez meets a Kagawa cross to thump his header into the back of the net. Game on at Old Trafford.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-2 Braga (Hernandez)
Again Braga break down the left as Echiejile whips a searching cross into the box, but Rafael clears the danger. Are United making this side look better than they are?
Searching ball from Kagawa as he attempts to find Hernandez, but Beto is on hand to clear the danger. United need some sort of inspiration before the break. A goal for the home side changes everything.
Would you believe it? And Braga are on the attack once more as Eder drives down the right. The shape of the away side is superior at the moment.
Braga extend their lead as Alan converts from inside the box after smart work from Eder. Wow. What are United doing?
Manchester United 0-2 Braga (Alan)
Half-chance for United as Carrick finds the run of Van Persie, but the Dutchman cannot direct his header on goal. Much better from the home side. Meanwhile, Braga remain tidy in possession.
Best spell of the match in terms of possession for Braga as they stroke the ball around in midfield. However, it is obvious that their main threat comes on the counter.
Another half-chance for United as Rooney finds Hernandez down the left, but the Mexican cannot return the favour. It's a bit better from the home side. Braga have 10 men behind the ball at all times.
The match has just settled into a pattern of United dominating possession and Braga attacking on the break. You can just sense the frustration in the United players.
United continue to enjoy possession in the middle of the park, but there is just no space at the moment. Cleverley finds Rooney down the left, but Custodio clears the danger.
Decent play from United as Rooney links with Hernandez on the edge of the box, but the former's pass is too long. Meanwhile, Micael fires wide at the other end.
It's all United at the moment as they pass and probe in midfield. However, Braga are so tight in the middle of the park and are thwarting the danger at the moment.
The home supporters are staying with United in the early stages in an attempt to rally their team. United have enjoyed much of the possession since falling behind. However, they are yet to create any real chances.
Decent response from United as they force a corner from Salino, but the defender is on hand to head the danger clear. Meanwhile, Evans heads into the arms of Beto from the resulting corner.
Would you believe it? What is it with United and starting matches this season? It it something that they need to address, and fast. However, they are on the attack at the moment.
Oh my word. Braga take the lead after just two minutes as Alan thumps a header past De Gea. What a start from the away side.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Braga (Alan)
Decent start from the away side as Eder forces a corner from Carrick, but Van Persie is there to clear the danger. The home fans are in good voice in the early stages.
Braga kick us off on this mild evening in Manchester. Can the Portuguese outfit grab an early goal against the former Premier League champions?
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this Champions League fixture underway.
Here we go then. Both sets of players emerge from the tunnel and join us on the Old Trafford pitch. I can sense goals this evening. Five minutes until kickoff.
Former United midfielder Roy Keane has told ITV that he thinks Sir Alex Ferguson will punish Rio Ferdinand when United have their defensive players back. It's an interesting point. Do you agree?
Meanwhile, just a reminder that Group H's other match this evening pits Galatasaray against Cluj in Turkey. Celtic are also in action as they travel to Barcelona.
Right, we are just about 15 minutes from kickoff at Old Trafford. It is prediction time. I am going for a 2-1 home win this evening. I just cannot see a way how United do not win this match.
Meanwhile, Peseiro told reporters: "We go into every match looking to win. Our main goal in the Champions League is reaching the round of 16. The top two places give you access to it, but nobody fights for second place. Sir Alex Ferguson praised Braga very highly only a few days ago, so he doesn't underestimate us. He's got an excellent squad with plenty of talent to choose from, while he also said earlier today that he rested players especially for this game. They're one of the best teams in the world and don't tend to suffer much when they make changes, so it'll be very tough whoever they put out."
Here's a word from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson prior to the match: "For me, Braga are better away from home and they proved that with their 2-0 win at Galatasaray. So, once again it looks like counter-attacking football will play a big part, which we also saw in our first game here against Galatasaray. They caused us problems but we managed to hold out until half time and took a hold of the game in the second period," he told reporters.
Recent success against Newcastle United with Rooney at the top of a diamond could see the club adopt a new policy. Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick would seemingly form Ferguson?s first-choice midfield, with Rooney operating behind a front two of Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez/Danny Welbeck.
There have been murmurs that Ferguson could move away from playing wingers and adopt a diamond formation instead. The United boss has played with wide men throughout his career in management, with wingers a key part of the club?s make-up. But that could soon change.
Meanwhile, Patrice Evra has struggled for form this season. One bright note has been the performances and maturity of Brazilian defender Rafael. The youngster has made the right-back spot his own this season and has already scored two goals for the club.
The major concern has been their defence. They conceded early on against Cluj in their last Champions League match, while they have fallen behind in recent home games against Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City. The continuing injury problems of Vidic, Jones and Smalling has left them light in the middle of the defence.
Focusing on United for a moment. Their main problem this season has certainly not been scoring goals. The addition of Van Persie in the summer has provided them with another dimension in attack and they have already scored 16 goals at home in the Premier League and Champions League.
So there we have it. Braga name former Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana in their starting side. Meanwhile, as expected, Alan and Eder also start.
Full teams:
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Carrick, Buttner; Fletcher, Cleverley, Kagawa; Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie
Braga: Beto; Leandro Salino, Nuno Andre, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson; Custodio, Hugo Viana, Ruben Amorim, Alan; Ruben Micael, Eder
Braga have also won four and lost none of their last five matches against English opposition, keeping four clean sheets and conceding just once in the process. It sounds a bit too good to be true for the Portuguese outfit? One thing is for certain, they face a tough night of football at Old Trafford.
Let's get back to Braga. In terms of the main threat from the away side, Eder and Alan will look to provide their team with an attacking tempo. The former has scored four goals in the league this season, while Alan has taken on the playmaker role since Lima left at the end of the season.
Breaking: Wayne Rooney skippers United this evening. Could that be a sign of things to come with Vidic, Evra and Ferdinand out of the side? We are still awaiting team news from Braga.
So there we have it. Strong starting side from United, no rest for either Rooney or Van Persie ahead of the weekend. Meanwhile, John Terry has returned to the Chelsea team this evening and will captain the Blues against Shakhtar.
Teams:
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Carrick, Buttner; Fletcher, Cleverley, Kagawa; Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie
Braga: To follow
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Michael Carrick will start in central defence for United this evening. Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley also return to the midfield.
Just a reminder that we are expecting the team news in next five minutes or so. It will be interesting to see how United line up in defence. Meanwhile, will Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie be rested ahead of the weekend?
Peseiro became a firm favourite with the club's fans after securing Champions League qualification during his first term as boss, recording a penalty shootout play-off win over Udinese at the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, he famously took Portuguese outfit CD Nacional from the third division to the top flight in three seasons.
Braga, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fairly solid start to their domestic season. They sit third after six matches and are unbeaten in their last five - winning four of those games. They are also bossed by Jose Peseiro, who was assistant to Carlos Quieroz at Real Madrid. Talk about a small world!
The home side have also not failed to score in their last 14 Champions League matches, but their vulnerability in defence has given teams chances this season. But with the likes of Robin Van Persie in attack, they will always feel confident of outscoring their opponents.
United enter the match off the back of a 4-2 win over Stoke City on Saturday. A match that saw Wayne Rooney score his 200th goal for the club. Thirty-one of those strikes have come in European competition and he will be keen to add to his tally this evening.
United have a host of injuries to contend with ahead of the match. Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones remain absent. Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra have been rested - leaving Ferguson desperately short in defensive areas. However, Ashley Young has returned to the squad this evening. Full team news is expected in the next 10 minutes or so.
However, Braga have a European pedigree of their own. They made it to the final of the Europa League in 2011, but were beaten by compatriots Porto in a pulsating encounter. They now face back-to-back matches against United as they attempt to make it out of the group.
Hello all! We return to Champions League action this week as Manchester United attempt to make it three straight wins in the European competition. They failed to make it out of the group stages last season, but Alex Ferguson was vowed that it will not happen again.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
