Cristal ball told me we’d face Man Utd

Posted Sunday, February 03, 2013 by The Sun

CRISTIANO RONALDO has revealed he had a premonition that Real Madrid would face former club Manchester United in the Champions League.

And in an exclusive SunSport interview the £80million Madrid striker confessed he cannot wait for the epic showdown to kick off in just 10 days’ time.

The ex-United star also told how the banter battle with his old team-mates has already begun — but he is backing Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho to have the last laugh.

Ronaldo, 27, grinned: “On the day of the draw I was out training and I had this strong feeling that we were going to get Manchester United.

“And when the draw was made I was very happy. It’s a tough match of course — Madrid and United are the two biggest clubs in the world and it’s a real 50-50. It could go either way.

“But for me it will be a pleasure, a real pleasure. Of course I know there will be a lot of attention on me but for me there is no pressure, no pressure at all.

“It is only a game, just a football match against my old club. I’m not going to war, I’m going home — and I am really looking forward to it.”

Especially the second leg back at Old Trafford next month — the game which will decide which of the European giants makes it through to the quarter-finals.

He added: “Manchester was my home and still is in my heart. I love it. Because when people treat you very well you never forget that. And I will never forget United, the people who work there and the supporters.

“So I am so happy to be going back to Manchester.

“I will go and see my old house, see my Manchester friends — they’re a kind of a family to me there and it will be great. It will be fun.

“And finally I will go to the club where I played for many, many years.

“It will be so nice. I still speak with quite a few of the United lads: Rio, Patrice, Nani, Anderson.

“The guys have all been joking with me. It will be great to see them again even though it is going to be a very difficult game.

“Manchester United are the best team in England, they are great. Every year they win something.

“And they have a fantastic coach in Sir Alex Ferguson, I know that. But so have we in Jose Mourinho. And he’s my coach now so I obviously hope Mourinho wins!”

Ronaldo, though, sat on the fence when quizzed which of his big-time bosses was best.

“It’s not fair to say, it’s like comparing a Ferrari with a Porsche.

“Both are very good, very experienced and both like to win — and I mean to win everything.

“That’s why they have both been champions many, many times.”

United face Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday February 13 with the return leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday March 5.

5 other Euro re-unions

AIDEN McGEADY

MOVED from Celtic to Spartak Moscow for £9.5million in 2010 and was drawn against the Scots in this year’s Champions League group stage.

He featured as Celtic won 3-2 in Russia and 2-1 at Celtic Park.

LUKAS PODOLSKI

THE Arsenal forward is set to face Bayern Munich in the CL last 16 this month.

He played 71 games for the Germans between 2006-2009.

OLIVIER GIROUD

SIGNED for Arsenal last summer from Montpellier and faced them in this year’s CL group stage.Gunners won 2-1 away and 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium but Giroud failed to score.

NICOLAS ANELKA

FEATURED as Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea side knocked Anelka’s former club Liverpool out of the 2008-09 CL.

The Blues won 7-5 on aggregate in the quarter-final.

CESC FABREGAS

PLAYED twice for Arsenal in ties against boyhood club Barcelona.

Barca won 4-3 on aggregate in the 2010-11 CL last 16. The year before, the Spaniards had beaten them in the quarter-final.