Champions League: Manchester United v Real Madrid match preview

A look ahead to tonights Champions League knockout fixture at Old Trafford

Ryan Giggs and Alex Ferguson (GETTY IMAGES)

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid go into this crucial fixture in extremely good form which adds spice to this highly anticipated tie after their 1-1 draw in the first leg.

United managed to brush aside a hard working Norwich team at the weekend, but with the news that Phil Jones will not be taking part in the second leg due to injury, Alex Ferguson will look towards someone else to nullify Madrid’s attacking threats the same way the young Englishman did in the game at the Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho’s side are currently sitting third in La Liga, 13 points behind the leaders Barcelona, which may disappoint some fans but at least they have had something to smile about over the past few weeks. After convincingly beating their greatest rivals Barcelona two games in a row, the Spanish side will bring bags of confidence to Old Trafford.

The ‘Special One’ is no stranger to breaking Man United fans hearts at the Theatre of Dreams, after his Porto side knocked United out of the competition in 2004 thanks to a 90th minute goal from Costinha.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7:45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Real Madrid 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo) Man United 1 (Danny Welbeck), Champions League, February 2013

Man United 4 (Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ivan Helguera og, David Beckham 2) Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 3), Champions League, April 2003

Real Madrid 3 (Luis Figo, Raul 2) Man United 1 (Ruud van Nistelrooy), Champions League, April 2003

STATS…

Man United’s Ryan Giggs is set to make his 1,000th appearance in senior football if he is called upon to play against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are unbeaten in the last 5 games in all competitions. Those results include an impressive double over Barcelona in their last 2 games.

Man United have only conceded 3 goals in their last 5 home matches in all competitions.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo currently averages a goal a game in the Champions League, playing 7 and finding the net 7 times.

Sir Alex Ferguson has come up against Jose Mourinho’s sides 15 times in the past and has only beaten him twice, losing 6 and drawing 7.

ODDS…

Man United to win: 3.25

Real Madrid to win: 2.34

Draw: 3.7

TV: Live on ITV1 at 7:45pm, highlights on ITV1 at 10:35pm

You can follow tonight's match LIVE now by clicking here