Macari - No way, Jose

Second leg at home should be enough, says ex-Utd star

Last updated: 19th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Macari - No way, Jose

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
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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.

Preferred

"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."