United Red Hot Favourites in Milan

On Tuesday night, defending champions Manchester United will travel to Milan to take on Mourinho’s Inter Milan. At the start of the season, even in the knowledge that United are current champions, many would have seen this as a very tight tie, difficult to call, possibly even backing Inter to shade it based on the Italian’s uncanny ability to get the upper hand over their English counterparts.

But with only days left before kick off, it is Manchester United that are being backed as red-hot favourites by British and Italian bookmakers alike.

This unanimous agreement that United will progress is likely to have something to do with the fact that United’s rearguard have not conceded a Premiership in some months now, and are seemingly unstoppable in ever competition they have entered so far this season.

The success so far is credit to United’s depth and strength of squad, with 29 different players making appearances for the Reds this season, more than any other side in the Premiership. But United are not facing any Inter Milan side, they are facing Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Mourinho is all too aware of United’s current form, but deep down, with his excellent record over Ferguson during his time at Chelsea and Porto in mind, will fancy his chances.

Inter are a side who are entering the game off the back off a recent win over A.C Milan and are flying high in the Italian Serie A league, and arguably are the only team in Europe who’s recent form could challenge that of United’s.

However, the danger that their attacking prowess poses to United is very much dependent on the unpredictable yet brilliant Ibrahimovic. At his best, he is nearly unstoppable and will cause as much of a threat to United’s watertight defence as any other striker in Europe.

But it is an all too familiar story that Ibrahimovic goes missing in the big games,and if this is the case next week, then Inter may struggle to trouble United. United, I think would take a clean sheet from the game, and like they did against Barcelona last year, will be confident that they can overturn Inter in the return leg at Old Trafford on the back of a 0-0 first leg result.

Much has been made of Nemanja Vidic’s suspension from the first leg, but Ferguson will have faith in Johnny Evans along side Ferdinand and his recent performances in the league is evidence of his growing ability.

Rooney and Evra will also return to the side yet Ferguson may go with just one striker and play five in the midfield, a tactic common with Ferguson in Europe and one that has served him well. If this is the case, and taking into account the Italians, slow build up passing game that they usually play, then the game will be won or lost in the midfield.

If Carrick can showcase the vision, technique and control that he had exerted in previous weeks, United will have a player in the centre of the park who can create a chance with a single pass.

And Ryan Giggs, at 35 is playing more like a 21 year old, and will also be key in the game should he get the nod over Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher. Giggs, like Carrick has been nothing short of World Class in the past few games for Manchester United and has the experience and legs to control a congested midfield, just as he did in United’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea.

It will be a close game, but I feel United have enough fire power, creativity, and security at the back to get a result in the San Siro. I’m going for a United win, just, 1-0.