Inter Will Be No Easy Task

So for the 13th time in five years Alex Ferguson and Mourinho will meet. The reason why Manchester United fans should be scared of facing Inter next Tuesday is Mourinho and his ability to beat Ferguson who has beat his rival on just 2 occassions (one was a Charity Shield via a penalty shoot out). Couple that with the fact that Mourinho has lost just twice at home in seven years (one a league cup shootout, the other in Champions League to Barca) and this match just keeps sounding more daunting for the men in red.  One more thing as well the for the last four years the winner of the Champions League has gone out the following year in the second round.

Inter will without a doubt be the toughest test Manchester United have faced all season. In recent weeks they have been praised for the strength in depth of their squad but in reality they are five points ahead of their nearest rivals Liverpool due the ineptitude of the other challengers in what is actually quite a weak league. Liverpool and Chelsea should have been out of sight by the time United returned from Tokyo but instead United were granted a reprieve for their sluggish start to the season.

My point is United haven't really been tested to a great extent this season, except against Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton. They may find it hard to combat Inter's formation which is not dissimilar to Chelsea of a few years ago. 4-3-3 except the front three stay up front so if United attack in numbers they will be exposed at the back.

United will need to watch Ibrahimovic, Adriano and Muntari. We all know how good United's defence is but it will be upto the midfield of Park, Ronaldo (yes you will have to track back at the San Siro and Old Trafford), Carrick and Giggs or Fletcher (whoever plays) to stop the supply to the forwards.

I think Inter have the same spirit and resilience Chelsea had under Mourinho just like United have now strangely meaning this is going to be extremely tight. Don't expect a lot of goals though if you offered Ferguson a score draw at the San Siro he'd take it, I know I would then United could do, as they have so successfully this season- win one nil at Old Trafford.

Here's hoping we don't see José sprinting down touchline in a moment of joy again come March 10.