Rio misses Benfica trip

Rio Ferdinand will miss Manchester United's opening Champions League game against Benfica on Wednesday.Ferdinand was not in the 19-man squad that flew to Portugal on Tuesday morning, meaning United were without their first-choice central defensive pairing as Nemanja Vidic is currently missing with a calf problem.There was no place either for Federico Macheda or Mame Biram Diouf, who scored twice for the reserves in their win over Fulham on Monday night, but Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra shrugged off hip and knee knocks picked up at Bolton on Saturday.It is not thought Ferdinand has suffered a fresh injury. However, after making his first appearance in a month during the 5-0 romp at the Reebok, and with Chelsea due at Old Trafford on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson is not wanting to take any chances with the 32-year-old.With Ferdinand out, it is likely to mean a move into central defence for Phil Jones, outstanding at full-back against Bolton, who would be making his debut in the competition.Tom Cleverley has been ruled out as he recovers from the foot injury he picked up against Bolton.Michael Owen has also been included in the squad, while Dimitar Berbatov could be handed a rare start.