Mar 11 2009, 09:43 PM
QUOTE
MANCHESTER, March 11 — Sir Alex Ferguson is paying no attention to his poor head-to-head record against Jose Mourinho as he prepares Manchester United for their Champions League showdown with Internazionale tonight.
Despite dominating for long periods at the San Siro a fortnight ago, United failed to get the away goal that would have put a different complexion on the Champions League last-16 encounter at Old Trafford.
Yet failing to beat Mourinho is not a new experience for Ferguson. In 13 attempts, the United manager has managed it only once — a Darren Fletcher header defeating Chelsea in November 2005.
It is a run that includes a two-legged loss to Porto at this stage of the Champions League five years ago, when Mourinho charged down the touchline in celebration, and one that some feel will allow the Inter manager to emerge triumphant again.
“It is strange just to have one win against Mourinho,” Ferguson said. “It proves I am not infallible. I am vulnerable, just like anyone else in football. But the personal record does not bother me one bit. It can happen.
“I look at this football club and I have every right to be proud of it and what it has achieved in the time I have been here. That is more important to me.”
And while Ferguson’s career has experienced its fair share of disappointing nights, he only has to trawl back 11 months of the 26 years he has been in charge for the result that gives him hope. In last season’s semi-final, United emerged from the away leg against Barcelona with the same goalless scoreline. A first-half Paul Scholes goal at Old Trafford proved enough to settle a tense decider, sending United on their way to
glory in Moscow.
“You can never be over-confident in this position simply because an away goal can be a severe setback,” he said. “That was the situation when we played Barcelona. What we required that night was magnificent concentration and really good focus in our game. We manage to get through because of both those two factors.”
United’s chances of victory have been aided greatly by confirmation that
Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea are fit after suffering weekend injuries.
Ferguson has had a team in mind since Sunday, with Scholes and Ryan Giggs among the potential starters after sitting out the 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Not that the United manager is expecting a similarly easy time against Inter. There may be a feeling Serie A is lagging behind the Premier League and La Liga, but Ferguson knows Italy remains a footballing powerhouse.
“When you play an Italian side you have got to be at your best,” he said.
“Their record over the years has been fantastic.
“AC Milan have won the European Cup seven times, all in the modern era, which I believe makes them the most successful side because Real Madrid won their first five when European football was just beginning.
“Inter Milan have every right to go into the match thinking they can win. They are seven points clear at the top of their league and have a lot of experience. We expect a tough game but they should expect one as well.”
Ferguson has a fairly unique build-up as his horse — What a Friend — could land a major prize at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow afternoon. His part-owner will be glued to his TV, stating there was “never a chance” he would have attempted to make a whistle-stop trip to Gloucestershire.
Ferguson describes his interest as “a bit of fun”, although the relaxation side of it may not be in evidence should What a Friend jump the last in contention.
But it could certainly form part of a special win double for United’s manager, who weaved a neat path around questions about Mourinho’s belief that he could be the Scot’s successor at Old Trafford one day.
“Jose summed it up himself the other day, he is not involved in it — and I am not going to get involved in it either,” Ferguson said.
Instead the United manager will get a decent bottle of red wine out of his personal cellar with which to savour what he hopes to be a day to remember, if not a Mourinho-style touchline charge.
“Look at the ages,” he said. “There is a difference.” — The Guardian
Despite dominating for long periods at the San Siro a fortnight ago, United failed to get the away goal that would have put a different complexion on the Champions League last-16 encounter at Old Trafford.
Yet failing to beat Mourinho is not a new experience for Ferguson. In 13 attempts, the United manager has managed it only once — a Darren Fletcher header defeating Chelsea in November 2005.
It is a run that includes a two-legged loss to Porto at this stage of the Champions League five years ago, when Mourinho charged down the touchline in celebration, and one that some feel will allow the Inter manager to emerge triumphant again.
“It is strange just to have one win against Mourinho,” Ferguson said. “It proves I am not infallible. I am vulnerable, just like anyone else in football. But the personal record does not bother me one bit. It can happen.
“I look at this football club and I have every right to be proud of it and what it has achieved in the time I have been here. That is more important to me.”
And while Ferguson’s career has experienced its fair share of disappointing nights, he only has to trawl back 11 months of the 26 years he has been in charge for the result that gives him hope. In last season’s semi-final, United emerged from the away leg against Barcelona with the same goalless scoreline. A first-half Paul Scholes goal at Old Trafford proved enough to settle a tense decider, sending United on their way to
glory in Moscow.
“You can never be over-confident in this position simply because an away goal can be a severe setback,” he said. “That was the situation when we played Barcelona. What we required that night was magnificent concentration and really good focus in our game. We manage to get through because of both those two factors.”
United’s chances of victory have been aided greatly by confirmation that
Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea are fit after suffering weekend injuries.
Ferguson has had a team in mind since Sunday, with Scholes and Ryan Giggs among the potential starters after sitting out the 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Not that the United manager is expecting a similarly easy time against Inter. There may be a feeling Serie A is lagging behind the Premier League and La Liga, but Ferguson knows Italy remains a footballing powerhouse.
“When you play an Italian side you have got to be at your best,” he said.
“Their record over the years has been fantastic.
“AC Milan have won the European Cup seven times, all in the modern era, which I believe makes them the most successful side because Real Madrid won their first five when European football was just beginning.
“Inter Milan have every right to go into the match thinking they can win. They are seven points clear at the top of their league and have a lot of experience. We expect a tough game but they should expect one as well.”
Ferguson has a fairly unique build-up as his horse — What a Friend — could land a major prize at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow afternoon. His part-owner will be glued to his TV, stating there was “never a chance” he would have attempted to make a whistle-stop trip to Gloucestershire.
Ferguson describes his interest as “a bit of fun”, although the relaxation side of it may not be in evidence should What a Friend jump the last in contention.
But it could certainly form part of a special win double for United’s manager, who weaved a neat path around questions about Mourinho’s belief that he could be the Scot’s successor at Old Trafford one day.
“Jose summed it up himself the other day, he is not involved in it — and I am not going to get involved in it either,” Ferguson said.
Instead the United manager will get a decent bottle of red wine out of his personal cellar with which to savour what he hopes to be a day to remember, if not a Mourinho-style touchline charge.
“Look at the ages,” he said. “There is a difference.” — The Guardian
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kaki lang! cant miss a great match tonite even for a lfc fans. =.=" the legend vs the special one? 
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