United's Inter mission

As United take on Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the Champions League, we give you the lowdown on the latest instalment of Sir Alex v the Special One...

It had to be Jose. No-one of a Red persuasion will quickly forget their first Mourinho moment, the Portuguese flapping like a big grey bird up the Old Trafford touchline as Porto knocked us out on the way to taking the Champions League in 2004. Now, after two Premier League titles for Chelsea followed by two for United, battle lines are to be drawn again, this time as the Reds take on the leaders of Serie A.

Reaction to the draw
As usual the gaffer had his own individual take on matters at UEFA HQ, preferring to concentrate less on the Italian qualities of Inter and more on their imported stars.

“They have a lot of experience in their team, including quite a few South Americans,” Sir Alex said. “In fact I think they have only got two Italians in their team. That in itself represents a tough challenge because you know South American players are always very tough and resilient defensively.”

Mind games about Inter’s attacking ambitions? Possibly, but Mourinho was bullish before and after the balls were drawn (though Inter directors and some supporters seemed less content). He'd as
good as called for a tie against United, saying: “Our group was too easy, so we lost concentration. We deserve to draw the very best and I hope that we will.”

And, given his wish, his reaction to the draw was equally ebullient: “I didn’t say I was happy to face them (United) because it would be easy or I’m certain of winning. I’m not a complete idiot. It will make my job a lot easier, though. There’ll be no need to motivate the players or fans.” The Italian media was cautiously optimistic, the Gazzetto dello Sport reasoning that you need to beat the best to win the competition, so no time is like the present.

Talking tactics
Those who managed to stay awake during the 2007 FA Cup final will hope the two-legged nature of this encounter encourages a more progressive approach from Mourinho, but don’t hold your breath – Inter’s new nickname in Italy is “the tank”.

As at Chelsea, Jose implemented a 4-3-3 when he first arrived in Milan, but the failures of summer signings Quaresma and Mancini forced him into a reshuffle to 4-4-2. The manager refused to be drawn on this tie, but hinted that he might return to narrow ways: “I can't say how I’ll play against United, but to control their wide men and maintain balance it is important to have the 4-3-3 up our sleeves.”
The Nerazzuri are well known for their physicality and effectiveness from set plays, so United should avoid giving away free kicks in the final third if possible.

Record against Inter... and other Italian outfits
United have played only two competitive games against Inter, in the quarter-final in 1999, but that heroic draw in the second leg was the only time the Reds have left the San Siro positively in five attempts. Indeed, our European campaigns in 1958, 1969, 2005 and 2007 were all ended (or in 1969’s case irretrievably holed) at the San Siro by Inter’s neighbours Milan, so there is certainly a ‘bogey ground’ element to this tie.

At home, by contrast, United have a fine record against the Milanese and Italian sides in general. Against Inter it’s played one, won one – the game, you may recall, being the much-hyped ‘rematch’ between Diego Simeone and David Beckham following the latter’s sending off in St Etienne at France 98.

In total the Reds have won 11, drawn two and lost only two against Italians at Old Trafford, and with a record unbeaten European run at home to protect, will be confident, barring a shocker in Milan, of progressing to the next round.