Why Manchester United vs Real Madrid stands for something special

Wonder what’s the best part of a European night? Playing under the floodlights? Millions of fans sulking in front of their Televisions? The electric atmosphere in the stadium? These are just a few reasons to begin with, but a European night at Old Trafford has always been special.

Manchester United have indeed began this season on a high note, now sitting 7 points clear over their bitter cross town rivals, Manchester City. Real Madrid on the other hand are finding themselves in a bit of a crisis, 16 points off the top, AND 5 points below their local rivals, Atletico Madrid.

But when it comes to Europe, the Los Blancos have always been a major threat to any side that dreams of progressing to the round of 8.

Having drawn Real Madrid in the round of 16, Manchester United now await their future. Surely they’ll want to forget the 2011 finals at Wembley, but if anything, they’d love to repeat their treble winning season of 1999. Firmly in control of the EPL, and with some hope in the FA cup, the Champions league seems a promising target for the Red Devils.

REASON 1:-

Apart from the rivalry on the pitch, Manchester United and Real Madrid have formed some sort of a partnership. Any established and famous player at Old Trafford might, at some point in time, be linked with Real Madrid, and many have seemingly dubbed Manchester United as a feeder club for Real Madrid. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the big names that have bid farewell to the Stretford end to grace the famous white jersey!

REASON 2:-

The name that calls for the biggest mention has to be that of CR7. The Portugese had already written his name into Man United’s hall of fame, and is considered a legend, which is quite surprising because he was just 25 when he left the club. Such are his accolades that inspite of leaving Manchester United in 2009, his name is still sung by the Stretford end faithful.

“Viva Ronaldo, Viva Ronaldo! Running down the wings, hear United sing! Viva Ronaldo!”

Heading home! Ronaldo’s goal against Chelsea at the UEFA Champions League finals in 2008.

Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford has spiced up the fixture. Many are looking forward to the reception he will get at Old Trafford, but he needn’t be worried as he’s still loved here in Manchester! Ronaldo has stated that he’ll never forget all that he achieved at Manchester United and winning the Ballon d’Or has been the highlight of his career so far. His return to Old Trafford, meeting the person he calls ‘his father in sports’, Sir Alex Ferguson – it is going to be something different. For the first time, United fans will pray that Ronaldo doesn’t score, and looking at his current form, and at United’s weak defense, Ronaldo might succeed in putting the ball into de Gea’s net, given the time span of 180 minutes.

REASON 3:-

Sir Alex Ferguson vs Jose Mourinho. It’s like the Bjorn Borg vs John McEnroe of Football! Two of the world’s best clash for ultimate supremacy. Mourinho has also been strongly linked as a possible successor to Ferguson when the Scotsman finally steps down at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho was a fairly unknown name in England when Sir Alex Ferguson’s team drew FC Porto in the 2004 CL round of 16. Jose lead his team through to the next round at the expense of Manchester United, via a 3-2 scoreline, a goal scored and celebrated in emphatic fashion, in the 90th minute. Mourinho’s reaction to the late winner is the reason the game remains in the mind of most supporters. As Tim Howard fumbled Benni McCarthy’s free-kick, Costinha slammed the re-bound in. This victory prompted Chelsea to sign him as their next manager, and this was when their rivalry actually took off.

In Jose Mourinho’s first English Premier League game against Sir Alex Ferguson, the Portugese gained the upper hand in what would go on to be one of the greatest rivalries in the world of management. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Chelsea, with Gudjohnsen getting the only goal of the game. United would then go on to lose the title, with Chelsea the eventual winners.

Their last meeting in England was way back in 2007, an FA Cup final, and the first of its kind in the new Wembley; an occasion that either manager wanted to mark with a victory. With the game heading for penalties, it was Didier Drogba who scored the winning goal in the 115th minute with a neat chip over Van der Sar.

The duo again met in the Champions league, two years later, only for Ferguson’s team to finally overcome the ‘Mourinho-jitters’ as Manchester United beat Inter Milan 2-0.

On the occasion of being drawn against each other, Ferguson joked he will have to order some fine wine before his face off with Mourinho. The pair had a tradition of sharing a glass of wine after their teams’ Premier League games. Ferguson described the first wine Mourinho gave him as being ‘like paint-stripper’.

REASON 4:-

Going on current form, free-scoring Manchester United might go on to win this one, but one cannot write Real Madrid off! They’re both European giants, and everytime they’ve locked horns, something special is there in the offing. One thing is guaranteed it’s going to be goals galore. Manchester United will be going out for the kill, with one of the best attacks on Europe. Real Madrid have Pepe and Ramos ready to douse United’s attack. Rafael, who has been in sublime form this season is up against Ronaldo, one of the on-field battles to watch out for. Pepe vs Vidic! Carrick vs Xabi Alonso! RvP vs Benzema! Valencia vs Ronaldo! Kagawa vs Ozil!

With so many rivalries all around, the analysts, the bookies will be licking their lips as this is one for the money!