Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins said: “This is a clash between two of the greatest clubs in European history,..." And I agree! Match days like these come 13th February 2013 at the Santiago Bernabéu and the 5th March 2013 at Old Trafford is why the Uefa Champions League was created. Though this might be the tie of the round, the tournament organisers will be licking there lips at what the draw has has kicked out. In some media circles its touted as the Dream Draw. José Mourinho returns to Old Trafford in the Champions League for the first time since he ran down the touchline when his Porto side scored in the last minute in 2004, while Cristiano Ronaldo will return to his beloved Manchester United, its bound to stir emotions. United and their much debated defence is yet to gel or yet to reach full fitness and Real are currently underperforming in La Liga, so neither would want to meet each other right now but February it might be different, a lot can happen in two

The draw for the knock out phase of the Champions League takes place later today in Switzerland  and is sure to bring us a few exciting match ups. There are nine former European Champions in the last 16 and only Malaga of the 16 have not reached this stage before. The spanish outfit & Celtic have had a long road in which they started their campaigns in August already in a qualifying round before the group stages began . The eight group winners will be matched up against a second-place team that is not from their own group and no side can meet another from their association. So for example Manchester United cannot draw Arsenal FC similiarly Real Madrid cannot draw Barcelona for the initial knock-out stage round. Another draw will occur for the quarter-final and semi-final knock-out rounds after this initial knock-out round concludes. These are two-legged ties to occur in early February (with away goals being the tiebreaker) and the Group winners will host the second of the

To say this is a fearsome rivalry is somewhat of an understatement. More so now than way back in the first Manchester Derby which was played on November 12, 1881, (Though then United was known as Newton Heath). The Heathens won 3-0. Sunday will be the 164th Derby though it's far from the title decider of the 163rd (and last meeting at the Etihad) it could have a huge bearing on each sides momentum going in to the busy Christmas period. With City being knocked out of Europe in mid week it does mean they can now focus on their domestic commitments. That is another reason why I can understand Sir Alex Ferguson saying it would be one of Manchester United's best ever results to win Sunday. City could possibly be playing (and traveling) considerably less than United so a 6 point gap at the summit of the English Premier League (EPL) would definitely be great to have. United and City are threatening to leave third-place Chelsea trailing in their wake, but all is not wel