Man Utd v Real Madrid: Fergie promises a beautiful game
'There will be goals and both teams will score', says Sir Alex, pledging Giggs his 1,000th game
JOSE MOURINHO has promised not to cry should his Real Madrid side come a cropper at Old Trafford tonight. The Spanish giants travel to Old Trafford for the return leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, a clash Mourinho says is the most eagerly-anticipated game of the season.
Three weeks ago in the Bernabeu the first leg finished all-square at one apiece and Mourinho is expecting a thrilling denouement this evening in Manchester. "The world will stop to watch this tie," said the self-styled Special One, more smug than ever in the light of Real's two recent victories over Barcelona.
Asked to highlight area where Real might be able to exert their superiority over United, Mourinho replied: "Who knows what will make the difference in the game - it's the million-dollar question. I will not cry if we lose and I will not run 100 metres if we win."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mourinho famously sprinted down the Old Trafford touchline when his Porto side scored a late goal to dump United out of the 2004 Champions League, but the 50-year-old says he'll be adopting a more measured approach whatever the outcome this evening.
Tonight's clash pits two of Europe's in-form teams against one another, with United unbeaten in any competition since losing to CFR Cluj on December 5, and Real well on top of their game after a slow start to the season. "Manchester United are better than ever," said Mourinho. "They have won the Premier League already and it's only March… [but] we are also in good form in 2013."
Real arrive in Manchester missing only the injured Iker Casillas, and Mourinho says the morale of the squad couldn't be stronger. "It is better to play a game like this when the players are happy and they are fine because they beat Barcelona twice… we cannot win the [Spanish] championship, but the Champions League is different."
As the Daily Telegraph reports, Alex Ferguson has urged his players not to be afraid of Cristiano Ronaldo in the light of his devastating recent form for Real. "If we go in worried about the damage Cristiano can do, we forget what we can do ourselves," he said.
United will be without injured defender Phil Jones, still recovering from an ankle injury, but otherwise Ferguson can pick from a full-strength squad, including Ryan Giggs. The 39-year-old Welshman has played 999 games for club and country and Ferguson confirmed yesterday that Giggs will be "involved at some point" during the game.
As for the match itself, Ferguson predicts it will be the beautiful game at its best. "There will be goals and I think both teams will score," he said. "Both teams are in form. As a European night I don't think you get any bigger than this one – great clubs with great histories. It is set up to be a potentially marvellous game and I don't think it will be a disappointment."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Duchess of Gloucester: the hard-working royal you've never heard of
Under The Radar Outer royal 'never expected' to do duties but has stepped up to the plate
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published