Inter Milan-Manchester United: Champions League Preview

The Champions League starts again this week and we are down to the last 16 or Europe’s elite. After the draw was made in December, there was one tie that had the tongues wagging, the one match both teams hoped to avoid at this stage of the competition, Manchester United Vs Inter Milan.

Not only is this the best team in England going head to head with the best team in Italy, it is also probably the two best current coaches in European football also going head to head…Ferguson vs. Mourinho, the old war horse who has seen it all, vs. the man many see as the obvious replacement for Sir Alex in the Old Trafford Hot Seat, once he finally decides to bring the curtain down on an already phenomenal career.

The matchup is worthy of a champions league final, however a quarter final place is what is at stake here.

So where will this game be won or lost? I have complied the strengths and weaknesses of both teams below to help you decide.

Manchester United

Strengths 

Defence 

Man United have not conceded a goal in Premier League for 14 games. In fact, you have to go back to Nov. 8 to see the last time a Manchester United player had to pick the ball out of the net—Sami Nasri scoring the goal for Arsenal at The Emirates stadium.

For a team accustomed to playing cavalier attacking football they have become very adept at winning games 1-0, the philosophy being ‘that as long as we score, we will win!’.

Nemanja Vidic has been the best defender in Europe this season however he is suspended for the first leg. The return of Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra from injury plus the form of the young Johnny Evans should soften the blow with United having probably the best defensive unit in Europe.

Form 

Since winning the World Club Championship in Japan in December, Man United have won all their league games and have only lost one game in all competitions. That was against Derby in the Carling Cup, which ultimately didn’t matter since they won the return leg and the tie overall.

They are currently top of the league with a five-point advantage over their closest rivals Liverpool, who six weeks ago where nine points clear of Man United. They seem relentless and are almost certainly marching towards a third successive league title.

Experience

There isn’t a team in Europe that has more experience of the Champions League.

Since the reformat in 1992 Man United have played more games then any other European team, have qualified for the most consecutive champions league tournaments, have the most consecutive home wins and have not been beaten in the competition since 2007 when they lost 3-0 to AC Milan in the San Siro.

The current team are defending champions and as such know what it takes both physically and mentally to get through tricky games.

Weaknesses 

Away form

If there is one main weakness in the current Man United team, then it is the away form. In the league apart from the opening day draw with Newcastle, all United’s dropped points have been away from home.

In Europe, Man United have struggled to win many games away from home, often picking up draws against opposition they should be easily beating. If Inter are to win this tie, then their best chance is to have a real go at United in their home leg, something AC Milan did two years ago when they won 3-0.

Inter Milan

Strengths 

Mourinho

Mourinho has usually had the better of Ferguson in the head-to-head matches, winning five of their previous 11 games—with Ferguson winning only one. It was his Portoteam that knocked Man United out of the Champions league in 2004. He also won the 2007 FA Cup final with Chelsea beating Man United again on that occasion.

If Mancini was still managing Inter I wouldn’t even contemplate an Inter Milan win, however with Mourinhos experience of English football, and especially Man United, they have a good chance.

San Siro

Man United do not like playing in this stadium. All the tickets have been sold and there will be 80,000 hugely passionate fans creating a hostile and electric atmosphere. If they use this to their advantage they could intimidate United’s players, especially the younger ones who might be overawed by the environment they will find themselves in. Man United have never won a game at the San Siro in three previous visits.

Power

One Advantage that Inter have over the current Man United team is that of strength and power. With the likes of Cambiasso, Muntari, Chivu, Adriano and Maicon, Inter are a big strong team. Man United lack the strength relying on pace, stamina and intricate passing to beat opponents.

However, Man United used to struggle against Chelsea’s big powerful team in the Mourinho era and could do so again here. The likes or Evra, Rafael, Carrick, Fletcher and Berbatov are excellent football players, however they are unable to match the strength and power of the players they will come face to face with and could find themselves outmuscled.

Weaknesses 

Inexperience

Inter do not have a good record in the champions league. They limped out badly to Liverpool last season when big things were expected of them. They also struggled through their relatively easy group this season.

There is the danger that even if Mourinho has the mentality and knowledge of playing against Man United, the players may be taken completely by surprise by the intensity and tempo of the opposition.

If Inter are to win, then they are going to need to adapt their game and quickly, as they will not have played against a team that can move the ball at the pace United are capable of.

Key Players 

Man United

Cristiano Ronaldo—The current World footballer of the year has been disappointing this year, yet he still has 15 goals from a midfield position. On his day he is capable of winning a football game on his own

Rio Ferdinand—Although Nemanja Vidic has been making the headlines, Ferdinand is still probably the best defender in Europe. He will need to be at his best to contain Ibrahimović

Inter Milan 

Zlatlan Ibrahimović—One of the best players in Serie A. There are still doubts over his ability at the highest level, however has the talent to take apart any team and has scored an impressive 17 goals so far this season.

Estien Cambiasso—Sits in front of the defence and stops attacks before they start. He is quick, powerful and energetic and will give Man United midfield a torrid time.

Overall 

I think Man United will win the overall tie, but as I stated before Inters best chance is going to come at home and Mourinho will be very aware of that. Expect Inter to go for victory and put United under a lot of pressure.

With a revitalised strike force of Adriano and Ibrahimović that has scored 10 goals between them in their last 10 games, United’s defenders have a huge task on their hands and will do very well not to concede.

However, United have the experience, and the players in Rooney and Ronaldo to get a goal themselves. I expect the game to finish as a score draw.

Prediction  1-1