Rio Ferdinand rested for Benfica trip

Rio Ferdinand has not travelled with the Manchester United squad for their opening Champions League group fixture against Portuguese side Benfica tomorrow evening.

Reports have suggested that the England international has not suffered an injury, but has instead been rested by manager Sir Alex Ferguson after completing his first 90 minutes of the season during Saturday's 5-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Captain Nemanja Vidic has still not recovered from injury, but Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra have shaken off knocks from the weekend's victory to take their place in the travelling party.

Michael Owen has also been included, as have Park Ji-Sung, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov.