Manchester United: Fergie Bold to Go Old vs. Benfica in UEFA Champions League

Sir Alex Ferguson is living proof that fortune does, indeed, favor the bold, which is precisely why his decision to field a more experienced starting XI in Manchester United's UEFA Champions League opener against Benfica on Wednesday will pay off.

Fergie's choice would, at least on the surface, appear antithetical to the way the Red Devils have dominated with youth thus far this season. A host of rookies, including Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones, have led the United to four wins and a plus 15 goal differential in four matches in the Barclays Premier League thus far, including Saturday's 5-0 romp over Bolton Wanderers at Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Yet, Fergie insists that he will opt for older players, of which he has plenty, when he leads his United side to the Stadium of Light in Lisbon:

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"Experience is important and that's why my team might be different in Lisbon. Benfica-United has a ring to it because of the history. But it's an important game in its own right. Whoever wins gets a valuable head start in the group."

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The history he's referring to, of course, is United's 2-1 loss at Benfica in the group stage of the 2005 UEFA Champions League. That loss, in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney participated as rookies, dropped the Red Devils to a tie for third in their group and, consequently, out of European play before the knockout round. Certainly, Fergie does not wish to repeat that mistake against the same opponent on the very same pitch.

Ronaldo may be gone and Rooney may be older, but United's starlets remain just a tad too young to contribute meaningfully in such an important match in a difficult environment. As far as Welbeck and Cleverley are concerned, they won't be available to play anyway, Cleverley because of a foot injury suffered against Bolton and Welbeck with a tight but improving hamstring.

For those concerned that Fergie will withhold his fearless youngsters for too long, worry not. They will see the pitch in European play once the matches make their way to Old Trafford.

"There's no doubt the younger players will get good experience in the Champions League this season, but the important thing is to qualify," Fergie said. "The home games will be better for them. Our first home tie is against Basel and the young players are capable of playing in that kind of match." 

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Until then, United will have to proceed into Champions League play with senior stars like Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand resuming their spots in Fergie's lineup, if only temporarily.

Not exactly the most difficult decisions to make, given the quality and experience of each of those players. Rather, they serve as more evidence to support the notion that Fergie is living a charmed life.

That fortune favors the bold, even if Fergie's latest aren't all that brave.

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