Inter Milan vs. Manchester United: The Key Battles of the San Siro Siege

Inter Milan vs Manchester United is probably the most exciting tie of the Champions League so far. Not only because of the huge array of talent that both squads boast, but also the great minds that manage the respective sides.

The first leg at the majestic San Siro seems to be where many believe the whole tie may be decided. And the following key areas may very well be the deciding factors in the win, loss or draw for either team.

Probable Lineups

Manchester United

                   ------------------Van Der Sar------------------

        Neville---------Ferdinand-------------Evans-------------------Evra

       Park-------------Carrick--------------Scholes---------------Ronaldo

                              Rooney--------------Berbatov

Inter Milan

                       ------------------Cesar------------------

        Maicon---------Samuel-------------Cordoba--------------Chivu

       --------------------------Cambiasso-------------------------

                Zanetti-------------Stankovic--------------Muntari

                              Ibrahimovic---------Adriano

Key Battles

Patrice Evra and Cristiano Ronaldo vs Maicon:

Probably the most exciting part of this game will be the battle between the attacking pair of Ronaldo and Evra against one of the most dynamic and offense minded right backs in the world - Maicon.

United's attacking pair are extremely dangerous when together on the left flank, providing a strong outlet for a counter attack, but the Inter Milan ace is also adept at attacking down the flank and it will be an explosive game considering that when Maicon attacks, Ronaldo and Evra will bomb forward and vice versa.

Recently watching Inter I noticed many of their attacks start from the right flank and Maicon is essential to this tactic.

This battle really could decide the game.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano vs Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans:

One question will lay in everyone's mind as they tune in to watch this game. "Is Ibrahimovic going to turn up tonight?". And there is a certain reason for this question.

Ibrahimovic is has built a reputation for not playing as well in the "big" games as he does against weaker opponents.

But it would be a massive mistake to underestimate the Swedish ace. Blessed with skill, pace and an uncanny eye for goal, he could very well disappear or rip United to shreds. And partnering him, is another striker who when he wants to, can be unstoppable.

The loss of defensive rock Nemanja Vidic for Manchester United will give the two front men even more confidence in their home ground, knowing that the Ferdinand and Evans pairing has not yet been tested harshly this season.

Ferdinand is prone to lapses in concentration and Evans is young so one mistake and it could prove costly.

Paul Scholes vs Esteban Cambiasso:

Manchester United over the last few years have concentrated on possession football when away from Old Trafford and its vital that Paul Scholes is allowed pull the strings in midfield and control the pace of the game as only the Salford man can.

Anyone who watched the Fulham game on Wednesday night and seen Scholes majestically spray passes about knows that he is in a rich vein of form and will be vital to coming away from the San Siro with a suitable result.

However Argentinian Cambiasso is a near perfect midfielder and will look to keep pressure on the United playmaker and keep the pace of the game to Inter's liking.

Although United will almost certainly play two up front (Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov) it is probable that Rooney will spend more time in midfield, niggling Cambiasso and helping in the link up play, at which Rooney excels.

Form Guide

Although the Champions League is an extremely unpredictable competition, a number of interesting facts speak volumes about each team.

• Inter's last three games against English opposition ended in defeat for the Italians
• Of seven Champions League games against Italian opposition, Man United have only lost once
• Of Inter's last eight Champions League games, they have only won two
• Man United have been unbeaten in their last 19 Champions League games - equalling the record of Ajax and Bayern Munich
• Man United have the joint best defensive record this year in the competition along with Juventus - with only three goals conceded
• Inter Milan have the worst record of the 16 teams that qualified, earning only eight points in the group stages
• Of Man United's last seven Champions League games, they have only won two outside of a penalty shootout

So as you can see, Inter do look like the underdogs when looking at the facts, but like I said, it's the nature of cup competitions to throw up a few unexpected results.

In the end, it could be decided in the dugouts.

Sir Alex Ferguson vs Jose "The Special One" Mourinho:

A war of words is yet to start between the managers who both have a liking to verbal mind games.

Fergie's record against Mourinho is to be honest - dire. It seemed that after that defeat to Porto in 2004 who Mourinho was then managing was the beginning of a duel that seems to continue for a long time yet.

Head to head, the Portuguese tactician holds all the aces and has the added advantage of knowing United inside and out, so be expected to see Fergie try something wily to catch the Inter boss off guard.

Mourinho has been touted as a replacement for the aging Scot and victory for the "Special One" here may do him a huge favour in finding himself in the Old Trafford hotseat within the next three years.

It's looking like this tie could really be a cracker over two legs, however I believe the first leg in the mighty San Siro will be a cautious affair.

My Prediction: Inter Milan 0, Manchester United 0