Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallInter Milan v Manchester United
Mourinho seeking to unseat Ferguson
UEFA Champions League first knockout rounds
San Siro 7.45pm
Key battle: Rio Ferdinand vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In the continued absence of Nemanda Vidic, the pressure will be on the England international to marshal the enigmatic Ibrahimovic. The Swede has consistently failed to show his best against English opposition but he poses the physical and technical gifts to hurt United.
In previous games against English opponents, the Inter forward’s lack of pace and trickery have played into the abrasive, crunching style of the archetypal English defenders but neither Johnny Evans nor Ferdinand are in htat mould and it will be a severe test for the pair.
The bosses:
Jose Mourinho – With Mourinho it is difficult to know where supreme confidence ends and targeted positivity begins. But certainly against United he believes he is Ferguson’s superior. He is convinced that if the teams are equal then his role will be decisive.
Sir Alex Ferguson – The Scot has once again vanquished all domestic challengers to his dominance but Mourinho remains a menace in exile. Ferguson has won only once against the younger coach.
Won and lost – The tactics:
Expect a tense affair laden with all the intrigue of a Mourinho v Ferguson duel. With three workers at the core of their midfield, Inter will seek to keep it tight in midfield and stifle United’s passing game. They will target the increasingly influential Michael Carrick in particular.
Inter will play very narrowly but Ferguson will be wary of the overlapping Maicon from right back. The Brazilian is the form full-back in Europe and he will look to feed Ibrahimovic and Adriano in the centre. The two rugged forwards will demand Inter play a direct style.
Despite the bravado and goading from Mourinho, Ferguson will remain cautious in the opening leg with Ronaldo slipping in behind Dimitar Berbatov and the more work hungry Wayne Rooney and Park Ji Sung on the flanks to counter any raids from Inter’s full-backs.
The currency of a single goal escalates astronomically in these affairs and so both side will be governed by concentration and work rate.
Prediction:
United have superior attacking quality coursing through their squad but Mourinho’s tactical radar should ensure the tie remains locked at 1-1 until the return leg at Old Trafford.
