Manchester United and Real Madrid are facing in UEFA Champions League tonight, United close to quarter final in the clash of titans.
Manchester – When Real Madrid enters Old Trafford on Tuesday, it will be the return of Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who would love to score again at Old Trafford. After Madrid’s 3-1 victory in the Copa Del Rey over Barca, Madrid is the favorite.
Not so fast says Sir Alex Ferguson, Madrid peaked too soon. While Ferguson, who was in attendance at the game against Barcelona, contends that Madrid was terrific, he says that the Spanish side has already played their best game of the year.
Manchester United edged out a 1-1 draw in Madrid during the first leg, but there are fears that if Madrid scores first in Old Trafford, United will have a full plate, which will be hard to catch up to. In other words the train will have left the station.
Manchester United vs Real Madrid Line Ups
Manchester United: De Gea – Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra – Carrick, Cleverley Welbeck, Rooney, Kagawa – Van Persie
Real Madrid: Lopez – Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao – Khedira, Alonso – Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo – Benzema
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir TUR
Manchester United vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League last 16 match second leg stats
• The two previous Champions League encounters between Manchester United and Real Madrid at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 23 Champions League games at Old Trafford. He has 16 goals in 18 European games at the Santiago Bernabeu.
• Angel Di Maria has four assists in the competition this season, all coming against Manchester teams – three against City and one against United.
• Real Madrid are one of two Spanish teams to have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League. Deportivo La Coruna won 3-2 back in April 2000.
• Jose Mourinho has never won a Champions League game at Old Trafford. Porto`s progress was built on a 1-1 draw while Inter lost 2-0 at United in 2008-09.
• On the two occasions the Real Madrid boss has won the Champions League, his teams have have knocked out English opposition in the last 16.
• United have managed only two clean sheets in their last 10 home Champions League games.
• Alex Ferguson has only won twice in his 15 competitive encounters with Jose Mourinho.
• The Red Devils have had their woodwork rattled six times, the most of any side in the tournament this season.
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