Mourinho and Ferguson Head To Head:United V Real Madrid

The Special One and seemingly the Greatest One: Ferguson and Mourinho go head to head in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 to determine which giant of the football world will progress to the quarter finals.

These are two of the greatest managers in the modern game, and it is hard to choose between them. Their victories combined is astounding, with four UEFA Champions League trophies and over 20 domestic titles to their names. However, of the 17 trophies The Special One has collected during his time with six clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, Ferguson has won just as many with United in Premier League and FA cup titles, with many other trophies in his cabinet.

Yet it seems almost futile comparing them, as not only are they two completely different managers, with their own techniques, style and flair, but their careers have been on opposite ends of the spectrum considering Ferguson's prolific reign at Manchester United and Mourinho's nomadic approach as he drifts from one club to another, albeit always finding success.

Although Ferguson is arguably regarded as more successful, when assessing their head to heads over the years, the statistics tell a slightly different story.

WHO	WHEN	COMPETITION	FINAL SCORE	WHO CAME OUT ON TOP
Porto  v Manchester United	February 25, 2004	Champions League Round of 16: First Leg	2-1	Mourinho
Manchester United v Porto	March 9, 2004	Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg	1-1	DRAW
Chelsea v Manchester United	August 15, 2004	Premier League	1-0	Mourinho
Chelsea v Manchester United	January 12, 2005	Carling Cup  Semi final: First Leg	0-0	DRAW
Manchester United v Chelsea	January 26, 2005	Carling Cup  Semi final: Second Leg	1-2	Mourinho
Manchester United v Chelsea	May 10, 2005	Premier League	1-3	Mourinho
Manchester United v Chelsea	November 6, 2005	Premier League	1-0	Ferguson
Chelsea v Manchester United	April 29, 2006	Premier League	3-0	Mourinho
Manchester United v Chelsea	November 26, 2006	Premier League	1-1	DRAW
Chelsea v Manchester United	May 9, 2007	Premier League	0-0	DRAW
Chelsea v Manchester United	May 19, 2007	FA Cup  Final	1-0	Mourinho
Inter v Manchester United	February 24, 2009	Champions League Round of 16: First Leg	0-0	DRAW
Manchester United v Inter	March 11, 2009	Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg	2-0	Ferguson
Real Madrid v Manchester United	February 14, 2013	Champions League  Round of 16: First Leg	1-1	DRAW
Total Played: 14	Mourinho: 6	Ferguson: 2	Draws: 6	Mourinho

Despite Ferguson's longer, more illustrious career, when the two greats go head to head Mourinho comes out on top winning 6 to Ferguson's 2. However, his victories came mostly with Chelsea during a period when the London club went on to win the 2005 and 2006 Premiership, 2005 and 2007 Carling Cup, and the FA cup in Mourinho's last year in 2007. Therefore it seems unsurprising that Mourinho edges Ferguson on head to head statistics when he managed a side at a time when they were dominating English football.

However, there seemed to be little dividing the sides when they clashed earlier this year in February for the first leg, with the Red Devils taking the lead. Yet Ronaldo did what comes so naturally to him and found the goal with a spectacular header shortly after to draw the two sides level. With both teams missing promising chances, the first leg ended with a tie with Mourinho's side to face Ferguson's in a tantalising draw tomorrow evening at Old Trafford.

With many expecting Real Madrid to edge it, people should not count out the Scotsman's side. Although Real Madrid arguably have the better players and their side, alongside Barcelona, are widely regarded to be the best in the world, Fergie's team have the resilience and determination that has won them so many trophies before to edge out Mourinho's men. If we also consider that, potentially drawing to the end of his career, Ferguson is desperate to lay his hands on the coveted European trophy. Additionally, there is the possibility of Ferguson and his side replicating the astonishing success of the 1999 season, where the Red Devils famously secured the triple. With such success and the opportunity of perhaps attaining it once more, it is clear to see United have the bit between their teeth and are eager to knock the Catalan side out of the competition.

There is of course hope for the Red Devils, seeing that Real Madrid's current league form is not as impressive as United's, showing that they can and have been beaten. The white giants have already suffered five losses and four defeats in 26 games, whereas the English side have lost three and drawn just two. United are sitting pretty at the top of the English Premier League with a 15 point deficit between them and their city and title rivals Manchester City, whereas Real Madrid sit in third with a 13 point gap between them and league leaders Barcelona. The win ratio of United in the League is currently at 82% whereas Madrid's is just 65%, and even the red side's goal average is superior, with 2.86 goals per match to Madrid's 2.46. With the scoring power of Van Persie, Rooney and even Hernandez who has not had very many chances this season, United are definitely a threat. The English team has the highest goal tally this season in the Premier League demonstrating their fire power, but if we also consider they have come behind 11 times to win the game, we know they also have the gritty determination it takes to triumph over the most challenging of opponents. However League form means nothing in the Champions League, as the major competitions are known to produce many shocks and surprises.

The tie will guarantee entertainment but the result itself could be anything. Mourinho's side are coming off of the back of defeating the mighty Barcelona twice in less than a week, and will be feeling confident they can stretch their winning streak to triumph over United. However, with the glory of 1999 in their sights, United will not be easily overcome.

Mind The Gap: Déjà Vu or City Who?

With just eleven games to go in the Premier League, pundits, fans and seemingly most of the football world believe that this year's current league leaders, Manchester United, have the title in the bag. Yet it seems everyone has completely disregarded the miraculous comeback of the blue side of Manchester last season.

This time last year the league leaders were Mancini's men, with 63 points, closely followed by Fergie's men with 61. However, fast forward one month later and the top of the table had been reversed, as it was then United with the two point lead. That meant that between February and the last game of the season the two Manchester clubs were alternating between top spot and runner up position. With the sheer determination and desire Man City demonstrated in clinching the much sought after league title, an honour United have claimed 12 times since its arrival in 1992, surely no-one can count out the possibility of the citizens making a sensational comeback once again.

When reviewing last season's last eight fixtures against this seasons remaining eleven, the two Manchester clubs  face three (United) and four (City) of the clubs they faced during the countdown of last season, with United winning two of those matches and City winning all four, including over their city rivals United. However, when taking into account the remaining three matches, United face difficult opponents and current Champions of Europe Chelsea (possibly even twice considering the FA cup tie prior to the premier league fixture) and Wenger's team Arsenal with a point to prove after a lack lustre campaign. Yet it is current Champions City who face the harder run in, with champion's league place fighting Everton, a Newcastle side just four points clear from the drop zone desperate to remain in the "best league in the world", Manchester United who are adamant that history will not repeat itself by seeing them relinquish their lead at the final hurdle and a Spurs side who are also vying for a top four finish. Therefore it would appear the sky blues have the more challenging encounters, but in the Premier League, as all of its fan will know, anything can happen.

Last season seemingly cannot compare to the current one, however, as City have suffered a noticeable slump in form. Not only is their win ratio (58%) seemingly incomparable with United's 81%, it does not correlate with a team who are desperate to retain their champions' status. Their prolific goal scorers of their title winning year are nowhere near as clinical having scored in comparison a measly 48 goals with last February's tally at 67. Similarly the Etihad has not been the fortress of last season, as City have suffered 3 defeats and 8 draws already (three more than the whole of last season) whilst also conceding 24 goals when the total at the end of their trophy year was only 29. Whilst United have conceded 7 more goals than their city and title rivals, they have also managed to score 12 more, showing the gritty determination of winning matches when they are drawing or behind, as has been the case eleven times this season in order to ultimately win - demonstrating the resilient and resolute qualities of a title winning side.

One must not, however, forget that both teams have more than League victory in their sights. Mancini is adamant that his team, boasting such a high calibre, has to win at least one trophy a year, and seemingly the FA cup appears the most likely at this stage. Yet rival Fergie also has his sights set on the prestigious English honour, hoping to repeat the unparalleled glory in English football of winning the treble, with his men still in contention for the league, FA and the coveted European cup. The two clubs may even be on a collision course in the FA competition should City overhaul Barnsley as is expected, and United conquer Benitez's men should they triumph over Middlesbrough. Yet, with the domestic competitions producing all kinds of shocks and surprises, nothing is ever taken for granted. The 2010 FA cup winners City may fall near the last hurdle as they have done so many times in other competitions this season, while United's packed schedule possibly including further Champion's League fixtures may hinder their chances. Therefore, the FA cup 2013 winners may be neither Manchester club, despite both being predicted to achieve the honours by many. 

As the two clubs matched each other throughout the season last year by winning, drawing and losing the same number of matches, it is difficult to predict what may happen this year. However, with United facing their two most difficult remaining opponents in Arsenal and Chelsea, both of whom they have already beaten this season, and City facing several top four competitors, regulation threatened sides and two sides that beat them last season (Swansea and Everton) it does appear in United's favour. But this has all been said before last season, and most were proved wrong as City snuck up on the Red Devils and tore the trophy out of their grasp. It may once again come down to the derby tie four premier league games from now, or it may depend on United's success in their two other cup pursuits, and which trophy Fergie values more. But ultimately, despite this seasons less drama and fewer goal thrillers, these last games guarantee just as much excitement and could produce just as much upset as the spectacular end of the 2011/2012 campaign: Mancini vs Fergie, who will have the nerves of steel to drive their team towards glory in 2013?