Sir Alex Ferguson believes that it is a good time for Manchester United to play AC Milan, considering the seven times European Champions have lost their starlet, Kaka, to Real Madrid and have had to go through a number of changes since Paulo Maldini and Carlo Ancelotti left the club in May. United last played the Rossoneri in May 2007 and lost 5-3 on aggregate. Milan went onto to lift their seventh crown in Athens, whilst United won a sixteenth domestic title.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan saw AC Milan beat Udinese 3-2 on Friday, with Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho starring. The United manager was quoted as saying:
“It’s a good time for us to be going to Milan. They played this weekend (beating Udinese 3-2 on Friday night), they’ve lost Kaka and have a few injuries, whereas we aren’t playing this weekend and we have had a good rest. You have to recognise they are not short of skill and experience. Ronaldinho, Pato all these players, but equally we have players who can win the match too. After the experience in the San Siro three years ago, where they dominated the game, I know that won’t happen again.”
Leonardo has turned things around at the San Siro having got off to a very shaky start. The Milan boss saw his side lose 1-0 to FC Zurich earlier the campaign but then went to Madrid and beat Real 3-2 on their own turf. United will be hoping that Milan will repeat their lackluster performance in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of city rivals Internazionale. However, AC Milan were without the injured Pato, who will start against Manchester United on Tuesday.