• Champions League

Mourinho: The world wanted Real-United

ESPN staff
January 14, 2013

Jose Mourinho is looking forward to locking horns with Sir Alex Ferguson once again in the Champions League next month, with his only regret being that the match will not be the final.

Real Madrid take on Manchester United in the last-16 of the Champions League four years since the two managers last met when United got the better of Inter Milan at the same stage of the competition.

Mourinho made the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday for a spying mission on United's 2-1 victory over Liverpool, sitting next to England boss Roy Hodgson under the cover of a hood for most of the match.

"This is the match the world wants to see," Mourinho was quoted as saying by The Sun. "Real Madrid against Manchester United. Sir Alex against his friend Mourinho.

"The only shame is that it is not the final. We know we can beat them. We know they can beat us - but we will be ready.

"There were groups where you knew who was going to be first and second after two or three games.

"But our group included three of the best five teams in the competition - Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and ourselves. Now we get the toughest opponent in the biggest tie of the last 16."

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