Clash of the Titans: Man United vs Real

Champions in the making?

Mouthwatering is an understated way to describe the match-up in tomorrow's Champions' League 2nd leg between two giants of the game. After a difficult start to the season, Jose Mourinho's team is beginning to click into high gear and this can only bode ill for the Red Devils. Yet, United are on a peach of a run themselves coming off a 4-0 trashing of the Canaries in the league and in the process witnessing Shinji Kagawa score the first ever hattrick by an Asian in the BPL. More importantly perhaps for the Mancunian squad is another clean sheet and the prospect of a stubborn goaless draw to qualify on the away goals rule.

But before we even start placing undue merit on Danny Wellbeck's headed goal at the Bernabeau, prospects are high that Real Madrid will score based on their recent back-to-back wins against Catalan magicians Barcelona. With that in mind, how will United line-up against the Spanish marauders?

I think a balanced and tight unit will be the priority for the Red Devils. To start, Vidic and Ferdinand will play at centreback supported by Rafael and Evra. While staying tight seems to suggest the revocation of licenses to thrill by our flying wingbacks, I would suggest that such a tactic would backfire. I think Rafael and Evra will be needed to help pin Madrid's own overlapping fullbacks - which would mean that 2 defensively hardworking wingers may be utilized. I would suggest Valencia and Rooney in the right and left wings respectively with instructions to backtrack.  Ashley Young could be played in the left but I sense Rooney gives them more tenacity and tactical flaxibility. Plus I can see him cutting in from the left to mix-up the attacking flavour for United.

Giggs would start in central midfield in an offensive role supported by Carrick with Kagawa in a no.9 position behind RVP. Under such a formation, be prepared for Rooney and Giggs to play interchanging roles and the try to exploit the potential defensive frailties of Real - which is why someone with the passing pedigree of Kagawa will be used upfront.

Personally I wish Anderson and Nani would be in better form because they would be my goto players if we fall behind. Anderson for Giggs and Nani for Valencia if the latter puts in another poor performance. That leaves Chicaritto for Kagawa if the Japanese fails to light up Old Trafford.

Without Phil Jones, I think Rafael will have to find his second half form displayed in the first leg to deal with Ronaldo. With Angel di Maria in good form, Real Madrid can be confident with a steady supply of crosses and in such a situation, Captain Nemanja Vidic will need to put in a titanic performance at the back to keep us in the game.

So the stage is set. My final prediction: Manchester United to win 2:1 with Giggs scoring the winner in his 1,000th game - he always does history very well and I expect tomorrow to be no different.