MILAN: A rare fixture takes place in Milan's San Siro when holders Manchester United face Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the first leg of a tie that has been eagerly awaited since the draw was made.
It is 10 years since the sides last met, since when Alex Ferguson has continued churning out silverware at Old Trafford and Inter have re-established themselves as the leading force in Italian football.
A few managers have come and gone at Inter since that 1999 clash won by United but the presence of Jose Mourinho , the latest in the hotseat, means a rivalry that once illuminated English football is set to be rekindled.
Mourinho, in trademark style, has already played down the significance of the game, but Ferguson knows all too well that the Portuguese will possibly prove his most dangerous adversary in attempting to retain the title.
After all, statistics show Mourinho, a Champions League winner with Porto, has got the better of Ferguson most of the time—winning six, drawing five and losing one of their 12 meetings.
"The game against United will only be important if we go on to win the Champions League," Mourinho said.
"Otherwise the game will be irrelevant." United have injury worries, particularly in defence where he is without suspended Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville and Wes Brown.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mourinho-thrilled-to-face-old-foes-United/articleshow/4179647.cms
It is 10 years since the sides last met, since when Alex Ferguson has continued churning out silverware at Old Trafford and Inter have re-established themselves as the leading force in Italian football.
A few managers have come and gone at Inter since that 1999 clash won by United but the presence of Jose Mourinho , the latest in the hotseat, means a rivalry that once illuminated English football is set to be rekindled.
Mourinho, in trademark style, has already played down the significance of the game, but Ferguson knows all too well that the Portuguese will possibly prove his most dangerous adversary in attempting to retain the title.
After all, statistics show Mourinho, a Champions League winner with Porto, has got the better of Ferguson most of the time—winning six, drawing five and losing one of their 12 meetings.
"The game against United will only be important if we go on to win the Champions League," Mourinho said.
"Otherwise the game will be irrelevant." United have injury worries, particularly in defence where he is without suspended Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville and Wes Brown.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mourinho-thrilled-to-face-old-foes-United/articleshow/4179647.cms
No comments:
Post a Comment