Inter vs Manchester Utd

It may have finished goalless but the first leg of Inter Milan vs Manchester United was a thrilling game full of attacking intent. United will count themselves unlucky not to have won it in a dominant first half display but what do we care? Our bet was a lay of Inter and, save for a few dodgy minutes towards the end, that never looked in jeopardy.

Manchester United’s defensive problems have tempered my enthusiasm slightly about their chances of establishing a first leg lead at the San Siro but Inter now look seriously short at around the 2.50 mark and I suggest taking on Jose Mourinho’s side.

With Nemanja Vidic suspended and Jonny Evans unlikely to shake off an ankle injury, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping John O’Shea is fit to partner Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United backline. It’s still touch and go but the Irishman should make the starting line up and his inclusion would certainly not hinder the defending champions’ chances.

While United march towards a third straight Premier League title, Fergie will be desperate to land back-to-back European Cups, nobody has managed that feat since the inception of the Champions League, and his current squad are certainly capable of following up. United have match-winners throughout, with a vast array of talent to choose from in every position, and should not fear a trip to Northern Italy.

Similarly to United, Inter are also riding the crest of a wave domestically but have not triumphed in the biggest one of all for over 40 years. That said, this group of players looks their most capable for quite for some time and Inter certainly possess a manager equipped to guide them to glory.

Inter extended their lead in Serie A on the weekend with a 2-1 success over Bologna but they too have central defensive injury concerns, with Marco Matterazzi struggling and Walter Samuel already ruled out, and the Red Devils boss will be desperate for his men to try to grab an away goal.

That will be easier said than done but United certainly possess the players to do so and Dimitar Berbatov, in particular, has thrived in the Champions League this season. Backing the away side at effectively 4/6 to avoid defeat looks value. They’ve not lost a meaningful game since a reversal at The Emirates well before the turn of the year and are also defending a record unbeaten run in this competition of 19 matches.

Inter’s strengths are undoubtedly in attack and if O’Shea is to be passed fit then he’ll need to be able to cope with the physical threat of both Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimov. I’m convinced he’s up to the task however and the visitors have the edge for me in midfield.

There are unlikely to be many goals in either tie, don’t rule out this first leg finishing goalless, but United restricted Barcelona to very few chances over 180 minutes in last season’s semi-final clashes and the Italians could find themselves equally frustrated. There’s certainly been an overreaction in the prices to United’s selection headache but it’s one we can take advantage of and the hosts are opposed with confidence.