Last updated: 19th December 2008
Macari: backing United
The big thing is that second leg at Old Trafford. If they can make sure the first leg in Milan is quite close, then back at Old Trafford they can get through.
Lou Macari
Quotes of the week
Lou Macari believes there is little chance of Jose Mourinho repeating his Champions League triumph over Sir Alex Ferguson.
Holders Manchester United were paired with the Portguese's Inter side in the draw for the last 16 of the competition, made in Nyon on Friday.
It means a repeat of the 2004 quarter-finals when Mourinho guided to Porto to a 3-2 aggregate success over United and celebrated success with his famous touchline dash.
He has since locked horns with Ferguson many times, but Macari says that as good a manager as he is, he stands little chance of repeating his success.
"We talked about Italian teams before the draw not being at their best and I agree with that, but you expect Mourinho to show up and win games," he told Sky Sports News.
"He knows all about that in the Champions League. He knows how to win games with whatever players he has and it's a tough game for Manchester United.
"I am sure they'd have preferred other teams, but that's the tie they've got.
"The big thing is that second leg at Old Trafford. If they can make sure the first leg in Milan is quite close, then back at Old Trafford they can get through."
Macari also believes that Ferguson will be happy with the draw - and more than happy to lock horns with his old foe again.
And now that surprise element has gone, he is backing the Scot to exact some sort of revenge when United and Inter do battle in February and March, 2009.
"On that particular night Sir Alex, like the rest of us, didn't know a great deal about Jose Mourinho because he was up-and-coming - but he certainly he knows more about him now!" he said.
"He'll realise with Mourinho in charge, he'll realise he's got a tough game on his hands.
"But he'll realise to get to the final you've got to play the best teams - especially at this stage."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 10:30 | Malaysia vs Man Utd |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:00 | Indonesia All Stars vs Man Utd |
| Friday 24th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:00 | FC Seoul vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 13:00 | Hangzhou Greentown vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Boca Juniors |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Valencia |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Man City |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Sunderland |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 27th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Barcelona 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 13th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 22nd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| FC Porto 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Porto | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 4 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Inter Milan | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Fulham 0 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
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