Manchester United vs Inter Preview

Before the first leg of this tie, I wrote here that this would be the toughest match United have had all season and may struggle to come away with a draw, it was the opposite in fact.

The first leg was a nil nil thrashing in Manchester United's favour and it is their hope going into this game that their wastefulness in front of goal will not come back to haunt them at Old Trafford.

Inter were absolutely shocking in the first half and even made John O'Shea look world class in the first half and United ran the show with Carrick, Giggs, and Fletcher creating an abundance of chances for Ronaldo who probably had his best game of the season. 

Although Inter improved in the second half mainly due to Chivas' departure, United still had chances to take a lead only for Cesar in Inter's goal to be having a blinder when called upon.

After watching the game I came away thinking two things. Firstly should United create as many chances in the second leg as they did the first they are sure to take some and go through.

The other thing I felt, worringly so, there's no way Mourinho's men can play as bad as they did again. These two factors and the away goals rule leaves the tie extremely delicately poised.

The away goals rule means that the first goal rule is going to be crucial. If Inter get it, United could get nervous and then have a fairly disappointing evening.

If United get the first goal they could go on and get more or just leave all fans and viewers in tense state of purgatory for the remainder of the game (a lá Barcelona at home last year) to grind out a one-nil as they have done so many times this season.

Last time I predicted Rooney would play alongside Berbatov, how wrong I was. Giggs did a fantastic job in supporting the lanky Bulgarian and also dropping into the midfield when necessary but I think Ferguson will go for it now, with Rooney back and scoring again.

I think Inter's team will be similar to the last time but Mourinho will be trying to ensure his players do not give United the same time and space they were allowed at the San Siro. I say it will be similar because Mourinho will not give Chivas a centre back berth after his terrible display in the first half.

In Britain no journalist, commentator, pundit, punter or his wife are at all convinced by Ibrahimovic and this may be his chance to prove us all wrong and secure victory for the Italian leaders.

I predict United to win in a very even game, a lot closer than the first leg, but I think it's going to be another one of those tense knock out matches, I'm just hoping Mourinho and my old Italian course mate are not laughing at the end of it all.