Alex Ferguson has stressed the importance of Manchester United winning their Champions League group ahead of their clash with Benfica at Old Trafford tonight.

Failure to win Group C could see United in a last 16 knockout tie with Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

"You hope you do finish top," Ferguson said. "First of all, there are certain teams there. That is one issue. But the other is that this game is at Old Trafford, which is an advantage.

"It's always been our intention to finish top, but it's not always been the case that we've managed to achieve it.

"To my mind the main advantage is that we will have the return game against Benfica here."

Victory for the Lisbon team would confirm them as group winners, leaving United to battle with Basle for the runners-up spot.

The Red Devils have lost only one of their last 34 Champions League games at Old Trafford.