Inter boss Jose Mourinho has said that he believes Manchester United can win the five trophies they are in contention for this season.
United have already won the Fifa Club World Cup and the Carling Cup and the 2-0 aggregate victory over Inter has put them into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and seven points clear in the Premier League.
Mourinho said after Inter’s defeat,
“Right now they’re at their maximum level. They have experience, quality, great physical condition and intensity in their game. That’s why they’re European champions. That is why they can win everything. I think they can win five trophies. United have worked together for five consecutive years. They were a young side but are not young anymore. They have basically the same team as when I was at Chelsea. Only Dimitar Berbatov is new. United are a quality team and showed against us exactly why they are European champions. You have to say they deserved to win.”
There is no doubt that Manchester United were a long way from being at their best during the tie against Inter but the win was fairly comfortable in the end. They scored two goals without reply and although Inter caused them some problems, particularly at Old Trafford, the result was never really in doubt.
So why are the best team in England so much better than the best team in Italy?
If you look at the line-ups in the two ties the answer becomes immediately obvious. The fact is that United have simply got better players.
Cesar is good, but Van der Sar’s record is second to none.
United 1 Inter 0
I’d give this one to Maicon, but a fit Gary Neville, Wes Brown or even Rafael, would give him more than a run for his money.
United 1 Inter 1
Both top players but I believe that few are better than the United man.
United 2 Inter 1
No contest. Vidic has been absolutely immense this season.
United 3 Inter 1
The Inter youngster will be a top player but Evra is one of the best in the world in his position.
United 4 Inter 1
As Ronaldo is officially the world’s best player there can only be one winner here.
United 5 Inter 1
This is a tough one to call. I thought Cambiasso was probably the better of the two at Old Trafford. It is close, but to be generous to the Italians I’ll give this one to them.
United 5 Inter 2
A few years ago this would also have been a tough one. However, whilst the years have been kind to Scholes and he continues to control games, Vierra is a shadow of his former self.
United 6 Inter 2
The United skipper is a legend and is having one of his best ever seasons. No contest.
United 7 Inter 2
There is some similarity in the snarling way these two play the game. That, however, is where the similarity ends. Balotelli is not in the same league as Rooney.
United 8 Inter 2
Berbatov is lazy and infuriating but has the best first touch I have ever seen. Ibrahimovic is raved about by many experts but I have never seen him have a good game. This may be the only controversial choice I will make as I would go for Berbatov every time.
United 9 Inter 2
So, if I picked a joint team only two Inter players would get a game. They didn’t have a chance really did they?
I conducted a similar exercise in relation to Liverpool and Real Madrid. Only Casillas, Ramos and Robben made the team.
What do you think? Are the English teams so superior? Who would you have as the manager of the side, Ferguson or Mourinho? Ramos or Benitez?
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