UEFA Champions League Preview: Manchester United vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Wayne Rooney in action during a first team training session ahead of the match against Bayer Leverkusen at Carrington Training Ground on September 16, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

Midfielder Lars Bender faces a late fitness test on a hip injury, which forced the German international out of Saturday’s fixture and Germany’s World Cup qualifiers last week.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand says that the manner of United’s defeat to Real last season adds no extra motivation ahead of the Champions League’s start. The Reds 2-1 loss at Old Trafford followed Nani’s controversial dismissal – a key refereeing decision that turned the fixture in Real’s favour.

It proved to be a devastating blow for Ferguson, who may attend Tuesday’s match in the director’s box. But as with the Scot’s difficult first few seasons in Europe – 1991 Cup Winners Cup victory aside – the Reds have some ground to make up on Europe’s best.

Real, Barcelona and champions Bayern Munich start as favourites to win the competition next May, although Paris Saint Germain, Juventus, and Chelsea each have legitimate designs on the trophy as well.

“We were all disappointed with what happened last season and how we went out. But we won’t harp on about it,” said 34-year-old Ferdinand.

“We continue and start again afresh this season. New group, new season, new games. Last season is out of our minds and not something we need to use as motivation.”

“If you don’t win the competition you’ve got catching up to do. It’s that simple. If that happens then you have work to do to catch up. Last year we went out in dubious circumstances. Hopefully we can improve this season. Last year we improved on the season before that and hopefully we can improve again.”

United has suffered two disappointing campaigns in succession – a slide in fortunes that has coincided with Bayern Munich’s secession to the head of Europe’s elite. The southern German outfit was the competition’s outstanding team over the period, supplanting Barcelona as the continent’s best.

While Leverkusen is unlikely to threaten Europe’s best the opening match of this season’s campaign should test Moyes’s men.

“The Germans did well last year, the Spanish sides before that. It goes in cycles and hopefully we can start the cycle this season,” adds Ferdinand.

“It probably focuses you a bit more when you have a tough group. You don’t get the chance to rest people, for example. The competition is so competitive and the players are so good and the desire to get into the next stage is so high. Each year you want to qualify for the knockout stage.”

That goal is achievable, especially with United’s ability to compete in central midfield now augmented by Marouanne Fellaini’s acquisition. The Belgian is sure to start alongside Michael Carrick in midfield.

However, few argue that this United squad falls short of the champion’s wealth of talent. Still, with a new manager in place the fresh campaign comes with renewed incentives and hope. United may not start the campaign as favourites to capture a trophy last secured more than five years ago, but it is a group from which the Reds should emerge.

“I have always wanted to get to the Champions League,” concludes Moyes. “I did everything I possibly could at Everton to reach it and I couldn’t quite make that happen. Now, at Manchester United I am going to do everything I possibly can to win it.”

TeamsUnited (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young; Rooney; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Smalling, Buttner, Evans, Anderson, Cleverley, Giggs, Zaha, Kagawa, Lingard, Hernández

Leverkusen (4-3-3): Leno; Donati, Toprak, Spahi?, Boenisch; Bender, Reinartz, Rolfes; Heung-Min, Kießling, Sam. Subs from: Palop, Yelldell, Stafylidis, Hilbert, Wollscheid, Derdiyok, Castro, Can, Hegeler, Öztunal?, Kohr

Head-to-HeadUnited 2 Draw 2 Leverkusen 0

Officials (all Slovenia)Referee: Damir SkominaAssistant referees: Matej Žuni?, Bojan UlAdditional assistant referees: Slavko Vin?i?, Roberto Ponis

Prediction3-1