Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Can Jose weave his magic wand again?

Five years on and memories of Jose Mourinho's touchline jig at Old Trafford still touch a nerve with match-going Manchester United supporters.

A 90th-minute equaliser from Costinha to cancel out a Paul Scholes goal meant the current holders suffered the ignominy of being knocked out of Europe's premier club competition at the first knockout phase by eventual winners Porto.

It would not be the first time that Mourinho and Old Trafford supremo Sir Alex Ferguson were to clash.

During a trophy-laden but sometimes turbulent three-year stay at Chelsea, the enigmatic Portuguese coach suffered only one defeat in 10 meetings with the current world club champions, including a 1-0 win in the 2007 FA Cup final.

Now, Mourinho has the chance to send United packing again when he returns with Internazionale to Old Trafford on Wednesday for what promises to be a night to savour.

Again, Mourinho's team will arrive as underdogs but their form in Serie A this season dictates that they are a live threat to United's hopes of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.

United, however, are a different beast these days and even Mourinho, albeit through gritted teeth, will acknowledge that his players spent the majority of the opening period in the first leg chasing shadows.

Inter had the inspired Julio Cesar to thank for keeping the visitors at bay in the San Siro, but 0-0 is a dangerous scoreline and Mourinho will be praying his formidable-looking front-pairing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano - who was substituted after 77 minutes in Italy - turn up in Manchester.

Ibrahimovic has already promised United's defenders an uncomfortable night but then confidence has never been an issue for the Swedish man mountain and the reigning champions can boast a record of not being beaten in 18 matches at Old Trafford in the competition proper dating back more than four years.

Ferguson has warned his players to expect a long night and those with a nervous disposition may wish to look away.

Mourinho, by contrast, will relish the spotlight and only the brave would bet against the star from Setúbal pulling off one last party trick before his proposed return to the Premier League.

Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.

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