Manchester United against Braga

Giggs does well to cut out a Viana cross and then volley clear but Braga pushing men forward now and looking dangerous.

Rather sensibly, De Gea puts his boot through the ball the next time he gets it inside the area.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga squeeze in a change too as Barbosa replaces Amorim.

And now RVP has gone close to wrapping the game up. Nani squeezes him inside the box but from eight yards, and at an angle, he blazes over with his right boot.

So nearly a calamitous mistake from De Gea as his pass out of his box is intercepted by Eder and Micael is faced with goal, for some reason he tries to jink outside and in again but all Braga win is a corner. Waste.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hernandez departs, so no hat-trick for him, Ryan Giggs comes on in his place.

Decent effort from Viana as he pumps an effort on goal from range. It was always veering wide though.

This has been the story of United's season really - slow start and fast finish.

A fantastic cross from Cleverley, Hernandez drifts off the back of Coelho and nods powerfully past Beto. Simple goal but devastating.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez with another header and Man Utd lead!

As soon as the keeper caught it, he got up, hoofed the ball out of play, then went down clutching his hip.

Beto is a lucky boy. Hernandez goes up for Rafael's cross and gets a touch before Beto, who hits the deck and watches gleefully as the ball falls right into his arms.

Super football from Hernandez, he scraps for the ball on the hflaway line and spins away, firing an excellent pass to Nani in space on the right. His shot is diverted behind by Beto.

A loud shout from Beto prevents a potentially embarrassing collision between Coelho and Salino, as they both shaped up to head the ball inside their area.

Bizarre free kick of the night goes to Rooney, who bumped into Alan but somehow won the award. And now the ref evens things up by penalising RVP.

Disappointing from Buttner, shanking a cross into the crowd from the left touchline.

And United could have been in front. RVP beats two players, then clips a lovely ball over the top for Hernandez who is clear, but the flag goes up. Replay shows he was well onside.

A very odd goal. Carrick flicks the ball on from RVP's corner, Evans misses his kick intitally but it is still there as he spins, he gets a left boot on it and squirts it into the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> It had been coming and Evans is claiming it!

Braga are fortunate there. RVP did well and released Cleverley on the right side - he had three to aim at in the box but Beto dives out to parry his ball and Braga hack clear. Pressure mounting though.

Buttner does well to retain possession after a clip from Micael but Rooney's free kick is poor. He gets another chance though and crosses well, but Hernandez can't dig out a shot.

Salino looks for Eder but Rafael hooks it away skilfully.

It's all a bit tight for Man Utd as RVP tries to find Rooney. Then Braga break but Alan's pass is cut out by Evans.

RVP shoots powerfully, but right at Beto, and the goalkeeper parries clear.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Elderson is carded for a blatant bodycheck on Rafael. United free kick on the right.

Careless ball from Cleverley to an offside Evans, after the corner had broken down.

An overhit ball from RVP and Rooney can't keep it in on the far touchline.

Superb close control from Nani as he jinks into the area. His shot is blocked and United have a corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> First card of the evening for Custodio, for snapping at Rooney.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> We begin again with a change - Kagawa off, Nani on.

SAF on that early goal: "I can't believe it. On the back foot right away. We've played some good football, we had a goal ruled out wrongly. If we keep playing football and tighten up at the back we can get back into it."

Remember, all tonight's goals as well as chat, whimsy and debate are <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1199050/matchday-live---october-23?cc=5739" target="_blank">right here on MatchDay Live</a>. Get involved.

And how do Braga approach things now? Do they try and hold out for 45 minutes or push forward in search of more goals, knowing how vulnerable United are? I'd favour the latter.

I wonder if 15 minutes will be enough for Fergie, given the amount of hairdrying he'll feel like doing. United have been terrible at the back and it was only in the last 20 minutes they looked comfortable in their positions.

<b>HALF TIME</b> - no, is the answer, as the whistle goes practically the second I posted that last update. Braga well on top for the o0pening half of the first half, United the second. Still plenty for the home side to do though.

Can United sneak an equaliser before the break?

Viana has a pop on goal but perhaps he should have looked up as several of his team mates were in promising positions.

Rafael concedes a free kick climbing all over Eder.

Van Persie's corner is nodded clear then he is flagged offside as Fletcher returned the ball to him.

Lovely one-two between Rooney and Rafael but the latter's cross is nodded behind for a corner.

Nicely worked between Rooney and RVP but the Dutchman's delicate dink is nodded clear as he stood it up towards the back post.

Now Rooney belts a cross right at a Braga player when RVP was waiting intently in the box.

A very wasteful ball from Cleverley as he had plenty of space on the right to run into. United finishing the half well.

A howl for a penalty as Buttner goes down inside the box. The ref was close to it and waved it away immediately. Rightly as it turns out.

Ball in the net but flag up. Wrongly it turns out. Van Persie pokes the ball into Kagawa, who is flagged offside even though he was level, meaning his pull back for Hernandez is meaningless.

There should be plenty of goals in this - neither side appears able to defend properly.

Van Persie gets into the channel and sends a ball across the face but Hernandez can't apply the finish and Vinicius can clear. Chicarito just missed the ball.

More danger for United from another Viana cross. The ball falls loose before Cleverley clears, then Alan hammers a volley wide of the post from the box edge.

Lovely dink from Rooney to RVP, he takes it down very well then turns and fires an immediate shot off but it sails wide of the post.

Barely time to draw breath in this first half. It's all booting off.

Excellent advantage from the Serbian ref as RVP was felled, Kagawa grabs the ball and stands it up for Chicarito to nod home. Game on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez pulls one back!

Braga are utterly dominant here, stringing passes left and right before winning a corner.

Rueful faces on the United bench as Rio looks on.

You could hear a pin drop at Old Trafford now. United are being outclassed and their fans know it.

Goodness me, Braga are ripping United to pieces! Eder turns Carrick on the byline and races into the area, Alan pulls off and fires the cross in at the near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Alan strikes again and Braga lead 2-0!

Braga sitting deep with two solid banks of four now. Fletcher tried to find Van Persie who attempted to loop it over the keeper but couldn't get enough pace on it.

Crikey - Celtic are in front against Barcelona!

Braga look a good, compact unit.

Hernandez hasn't started well. He makes a decent break down the left before cutting inside but his pass for Rooney is poor and Viana intercepts.

This is the eighth time already this season Man Utd have gone behind in a match.

Buttner takes on Alan and both fall over in a heap. No foul given so Braga have a goal kick.

Now a good pass from Fletcher finds Rooney but Vinicius stands up well and takes him wide.

At the other end Micael has a pop on goal but it flies a good two yards wide.

Super ball from Cleverley, over the top of Coelho for Hernandez but the striker's touch on his chest is heavy and the defender forces him wide. Rooney's pass is then intercepted.

Buttner swings in a cross that spins all the way across the box. Delivery needs to be better from wide areas than that.

Braga certainly have skill on the ball - a nice move involving 15 or so passes in the middle of the park just then.

A free kick given to Braga after Hernandez nudges Beto. Evans had nodded RVP's corner up in the air.

Cleverley tries to hit back, winning a corner for the home side.

Wow, what a simple goal. After forcing an early corner, Braga rebuild and Viana's sweet cross is nodded home by Alan who rose above Carrick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Alan nods home from Viana's cross and Braga lead!

<b>KICK OFF</b>

Here come the teams to what I would call warm applause...

Sir Alex Ferguson on Braga: "We have to be aware of the counter attack - they have some really good footballers in their team. It could be a open game."

To get you nicely in the mood for tonight's game <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/355671/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">why not have a read of our match preview?</a> I should also say you can follow all tonight's action with our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1199050/matchday-live---october-23?cc=5739" target="_blank">super duper MatchDay Live chat</a>.

With two wins from two Man Utd are firmly in control of Group H and a win tonight will all but see them through to the next stage. Braga have won one and lost one, but anything from tonight's game will be a bonus for them you have to feel.

Braga make two changes from their 4-4 draw with Olhanense at the weekend. Out go Douglao and Barbosa, in come Alan and Coelho. Former Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana starts.

Without further ado, here is tonight's team news. Rio Ferdinand is on the bench, as Sir Alex confirmed yesterday. Michael Carrick starts at centre half with Alex Buttner replacing Patrice Evra. Wayne Rooney is captain.

Evening all, and welcome to live coverage of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Braga at Old Trafford.

Bizarre free kick of the night goes to Rooney, who bumped into Alan but somehow won the award. And now the ref evens things up by penalising RVP.

Disappointing from Buttner, shanking a cross into the crowd from the left touchline.

And United could have been in front. RVP beats two players, then clips a lovely ball over the top for Hernandez who is clear, but the flag goes up. Replay shows he was well onside.

A very odd goal. Carrick flicks the ball on from RVP's corner, Evans misses his kick intitally but it is still there as he spins, he gets a left boot on it and squirts it into the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> It had been coming and Evans is claiming it!

Braga are fortunate there. RVP did well and released Cleverley on the right side - he had three to aim at in the box but Beto dives out to parry his ball and Braga hack clear. Pressure mounting though.

Buttner does well to retain possession after a clip from Micael but Rooney's free kick is poor. He gets another chance though and crosses well, but Hernandez can't dig out a shot.

Salino looks for Eder but Rafael hooks it away skilfully.

It's all a bit tight for Man Utd as RVP tries to find Rooney. Then Braga break but Alan's pass is cut out by Evans.

RVP shoots powerfully, but right at Beto, and the goalkeeper parries clear.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Elderson is carded for a blatant bodycheck on Rafael. United free kick on the right.

Careless ball from Cleverley to an offside Evans, after the corner had broken down.

An overhit ball from RVP and Rooney can't keep it in on the far touchline.

Superb close control from Nani as he jinks into the area. His shot is blocked and United have a corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> First card of the evening for Custodio, for snapping at Rooney.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> We begin again with a change - Kagawa off, Nani on.

SAF on that early goal: "I can't believe it. On the back foot right away. We've played some good football, we had a goal ruled out wrongly. If we keep playing football and tighten up at the back we can get back into it."

Remember, all tonight's goals as well as chat, whimsy and debate are <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1199050/matchday-live---october-23?cc=5739" target="_blank">right here on MatchDay Live</a>. Get involved.

And how do Braga approach things now? Do they try and hold out for 45 minutes or push forward in search of more goals, knowing how vulnerable United are? I'd favour the latter.

I wonder if 15 minutes will be enough for Fergie, given the amount of hairdrying he'll feel like doing. United have been terrible at the back and it was only in the last 20 minutes they looked comfortable in their positions.

<b>HALF TIME</b> - no, is the answer, as the whistle goes practically the second I posted that last update. Braga well on top for the o0pening half of the first half, United the second. Still plenty for the home side to do though.

Can United sneak an equaliser before the break?

Viana has a pop on goal but perhaps he should have looked up as several of his team mates were in promising positions.

Rafael concedes a free kick climbing all over Eder.

Van Persie's corner is nodded clear then he is flagged offside as Fletcher returned the ball to him.

Lovely one-two between Rooney and Rafael but the latter's cross is nodded behind for a corner.

Nicely worked between Rooney and RVP but the Dutchman's delicate dink is nodded clear as he stood it up towards the back post.

Now Rooney belts a cross right at a Braga player when RVP was waiting intently in the box.

A very wasteful ball from Cleverley as he had plenty of space on the right to run into. United finishing the half well.

A howl for a penalty as Buttner goes down inside the box. The ref was close to it and waved it away immediately. Rightly as it turns out.

Ball in the net but flag up. Wrongly it turns out. Van Persie pokes the ball into Kagawa, who is flagged offside even though he was level, meaning his pull back for Hernandez is meaningless.

There should be plenty of goals in this - neither side appears able to defend properly.

Van Persie gets into the channel and sends a ball across the face but Hernandez can't apply the finish and Vinicius can clear. Chicarito just missed the ball.

More danger for United from another Viana cross. The ball falls loose before Cleverley clears, then Alan hammers a volley wide of the post from the box edge.

Lovely dink from Rooney to RVP, he takes it down very well then turns and fires an immediate shot off but it sails wide of the post.

Barely time to draw breath in this first half. It's all booting off.

Excellent advantage from the Serbian ref as RVP was felled, Kagawa grabs the ball and stands it up for Chicarito to nod home. Game on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez pulls one back!

Braga are utterly dominant here, stringing passes left and right before winning a corner.

Rueful faces on the United bench as Rio looks on.

You could hear a pin drop at Old Trafford now. United are being outclassed and their fans know it.

Goodness me, Braga are ripping United to pieces! Eder turns Carrick on the byline and races into the area, Alan pulls off and fires the cross in at the near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Alan strikes again and Braga lead 2-0!

Braga sitting deep with two solid banks of four now. Fletcher tried to find Van Persie who attempted to loop it over the keeper but couldn't get enough pace on it.

Crikey - Celtic are in front against Barcelona!

Braga look a good, compact unit.

Hernandez hasn't started well. He makes a decent break down the left before cutting inside but his pass for Rooney is poor and Viana intercepts.

This is the eighth time already this season Man Utd have gone behind in a match.

Buttner takes on Alan and both fall over in a heap. No foul given so Braga have a goal kick.

Now a good pass from Fletcher finds Rooney but Vinicius stands up well and takes him wide.

At the other end Micael has a pop on goal but it flies a good two yards wide.

Super ball from Cleverley, over the top of Coelho for Hernandez but the striker's touch on his chest is heavy and the defender forces him wide. Rooney's pass is then intercepted.

Buttner swings in a cross that spins all the way across the box. Delivery needs to be better from wide areas than that.

Braga certainly have skill on the ball - a nice move involving 15 or so passes in the middle of the park just then.

A free kick given to Braga after Hernandez nudges Beto. Evans had nodded RVP's corner up in the air.

Cleverley tries to hit back, winning a corner for the home side.

Wow, what a simple goal. After forcing an early corner, Braga rebuild and Viana's sweet cross is nodded home by Alan who rose above Carrick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Alan nods home from Viana's cross and Braga lead!

<b>KICK OFF</b>

Here come the teams to what I would call warm applause...

Sir Alex Ferguson on Braga: "We have to be aware of the counter attack - they have some really good footballers in their team. It could be a open game."

To get you nicely in the mood for tonight's game <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/355671/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">why not have a read of our match preview?</a> I should also say you can follow all tonight's action with our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1199050/matchday-live---october-23?cc=5739" target="_blank">super duper MatchDay Live chat</a>.

With two wins from two Man Utd are firmly in control of Group H and a win tonight will all but see them through to the next stage. Braga have won one and lost one, but anything from tonight's game will be a bonus for them you have to feel.

Braga make two changes from their 4-4 draw with Olhanense at the weekend. Out go Douglao and Barbosa, in come Alan and Coelho. Former Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana starts.

Without further ado, here is tonight's team news. Rio Ferdinand is on the bench, as Sir Alex confirmed yesterday. Michael Carrick starts at centre half with Alex Buttner replacing Patrice Evra. Wayne Rooney is captain.

Evening all, and welcome to live coverage of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Braga at Old Trafford.