Manchester United have already secured the Premier League title, according to Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, ahead of the sides’ mammoth Champions League clash tonight.
United host the La Liga champions at Old Trafford as Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson battle it out for a spot in the competition’s quarter-finals.
The Red Devils grabbed a valuable away goal during the first-leg in the Bernabeu and former Chelsea boss Mourinho admitted he is impressed with their fantastic run of form.
“They are in the FA Cup quarter-finals and have won the league already in March!” he said.
“United are on a fantastic run, better than ever this season, we are also in good form in 2013 but the one million dollar question is what will make the difference tomorrow? Nobody knows.
“We come here after two wins [against Barcelona] but our feeling coming here would be the same if we’d have had two defeats.
“Of course, it is better to come here in a period when the players are happy and we have beaten our rivals twice, but I don’t really think the Barcelona results will have an impact on Tuesday.”
Mourinho introduced himself to the world in spectacular fashion in 2004, with a 100-yard dash down the Old Trafford touchline as his Porto side knocked-out United en route to European glory.
“I have won, lost and drawn against Sir Alex,” added Mourinho. “I have experienced everything against United.
“I’ve come here a lot of times with Chelsea, Porto, Inter. I’ve won some, I’ve drawn some and I’ve lost some.
“What I care about is that tomorrow is the kind of match in which anything can happen. Tonight the world will stop to watch this game. It feels more like a final.”
The Portuguese is also aware Danny Welbeck’s first-leg goal puts the home side in a strong position and admits his Galacticos will have to go on the attack.
“I think United will be very defensive when we have the ball and it will be the same from us when they have the ball,” he said.
“They are a strong attacking side and we’ll have to defend stoutly and concentrate when they have possession. We’re effectively behind in the tie so we will attack.”
Picture courtesy of BBC, via YouTube, with thanks.
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