• Manchester United v Braga, Champions League

Nani needing something to Brag-about

Nani finds himself out of favour at Old Trafford © PA Photos

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Braga coach Jose Peseiro was among the guests at Manchester United's post-game Champions League winners' party in Moscow four years ago - but he wants to be celebrating alone at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Peseiro, a former assistant to ex-United coach Carlos Quieroz, revealed he had helped United scout Nani before the Portugal midfielder moved to Old Trafford in 2007, and he joined United in toasting the success Nani helped earn by scoring one of the penalties in United's dramatic shoot-out victory over Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium the following spring.

It as an evening Peseiro has naturally never forgotten. "I first came to Manchester with Carlos and spoke with Sir Alex about Nani,'' he said. "We probably talked about three or four times before he eventually decided to sign him over [Yuri] Zhirkov.

"When United got to the Champions League final, they invited me to the game. I stayed in one of the hotels the club used for the match and was there for the party afterwards.

"I was there for four or five days overall, together with my wife. It was a fantastic experience. But tomorrow I hope to be having a party at Sir Alex's expense.''

Realistically, though, Peseiro accepts it is unlikely to happen. Although they are currently breaking the three-team stranglehold on the Portuguese league, Braga would appear to lack the resources to compete with European heavyweights such as the one they will encounter on Tuesday.

Peseiro acknowledges his side are in a battle for second spot, and the Red Devils will take control of Group H if they win their third successive game.

United have had other issues to deal with in the build-up to this match, with Rio Ferdinand causing his manager a headache when the 33-year-old defender defied Sir Alex Ferguson's order to wear a T-shirt backing the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign.

However, with their respective positions aired, Ferdinand will not play at Old Trafford, joining captain Patrice Evra in being rested, with Scott Wootton and Alex Buttner to take their places. Ferguson was anxious to make clear that Ferdinand was not being dropped as punishment.

"Tomorrow, so your false teeth don't fall out, I am not playing Rio,'' he said. "We have a game at Chelsea on Sunday, which is a big one for us, so we will leave two of the older players, Rio and Patrice Evra, out.''

Manchester United player to watch: Nani is the link between the two managers, and he will want to impress for more than that reason alone on Tuesday. The Portugal international finds himself on the fringes with Ferguson liking the look of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck as a front three, so a big performance by Nani might just disturb that line of thinking.

Braga player to watch: Braga forward Eder has scored four goals in three league starts for the Portuguese outfit this season, but he is yet to open his account in Europe. The 24-year-old has had enough attempts, totalling six shots in the opening two games, but he will want to break his duck in Manchester.

Betting: Manchester United have been desperately slow starters this season, falling behind once again at home to Stoke before turning things around at the weekend. Take Braga to snatch a 1-0 half-time lead at 7/1 with bet365.

Prediction: 3-1

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.