Inter boss Mourinho recently masterminded a victory over old foe and current Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, which dumped his former club out of the Champions League.

The Portuguese tactician gained a lot of praise for the surprising win but Redknapp remains convinced Mourinho has a long way to go before being spoken of in the same breath as United counterpart Ferguson.

“Jose Mourinho may be the self-appointed ‘Special One’ but he is not yet ‘The Greatest’,” Redknapp wrote in a column for The Sun.

“Fantastic result and performance by Inter Milan on Tuesday night to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League.

“But I do not see him winning it this season and I think they would lose over two legs to Manchester United if the teams get drawn together tomorrow for the quarter-finals.

“At the moment, United have too much flair for Inter to handle.

“They also have Wayne Rooney in such amazing form that he is virtually unstoppable – especially by the Italians.

“That brings you on to the debate on the two managers.

“There is no doubt that Mourinho is catching up with Alex Ferguson as far as reputation and achievement go in management. They are my one-two in the managerial world.

“Fergie is king of the castle in England particularly. Mourinho has not got close to what Old Trafford’s emperor has won in the Premier League.”

Mourinho has recently been linked with a move away from the Giuseppe Meazza with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid being spoken of as likely destinations.

“I also believe Mourinho will end up going to Spain to manage Real Madrid and become the first person to win a league title in all three countries,” added Spurs’ gaffer.

“Mourinho has time on his side, too, to try to overtake Ferguson. But right now, I think my opinion that United would beat Inter says enough about both men.”

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The 24-year-old is the “favourite” of Real chairman Florentino Perez “for the new plan,” the newspaper ABC said.

Perez “has had his eye on Rooney for a long time, even more so in view of the great season he’s having.”

The England striker has unleashed an incredible burst of 24 goals in his last 22 matches that have kept United in contention in both the Premier League and Champions League.

But Spanish media say it is unlikely that Rooney will follow former United star David Beckham to Spain.

Real are unlikely to accept the probable 70-million-euro price tag and United manager Alex Ferguson is unwilling “to lose a player who is a substitute for Cristiano” Ronaldo, the Portuguese winger who was signed by Real last year for a world record fee.

Sports daily Marca reported Real are also keen on Chelsea’s England defender Ashley Cole to boost their back line.

The club splashed out more than 250 million euros on world stars last summer and are currently top of the Primera Liga on goal difference from Barcelona.

But their exit from the Champions League in the last-16 stage to Lyon last week means they are now looking to prepare for next season.

MADRID (AFP)

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It was earlier reported by The Observer that senior city financiers associated with the Red Knights consortium had claimed the Scottish manager would be willing to add his own money to the controversial buyout.

“Alex Ferguson is not only supportive of the bid but would be prepared, if successful, to back it,” a source told the newspaper.

The insider also claimed it would be a “killer blow” for the American Glazer family who bought the club in 2005 and who are now facing massive protests from fans because of the club’s debts.

However, Ferguson furiously denied that he was supporting the takeover.

“It’s absolute rubbish. Not an ounce of truth in it,” he said.

The Red Knights are putting together a bid which could see Manchester United being sold for £1.2bn, although the Glazers insist the club, now saddled with debts of £716 million, is not for sale.

Another senior City figure close to the consortium said: “We all know we have his [Ferguson's] support, that he likes the people involved, but we can’t embarrass him.”

An official spokesman for the Red Knights refused to discuss Ferguson’s position.

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Rooney aggravated a knee injury after playing all but four minutes of England’s friendly win over Egypt, and that kept him out of United’s game against Wolves. But a hamstring injury to Michael Owen prompted Rooney into action at Wembley and the England international was back on the same heavy pitch just three days later on duty for his country much to his manager’s surprise.

Sir Alex had expected Rooney to sit out England’s friendly against Egypt following his knee complaint, but the 24-year-old ended up playing nearly the whole game and now looks to have paid the price for his exertions.

“Rooney is very doubtful for the Milan game unfortunately,” Sir Alex said. “It’s one of these bad bits of luck you get – the Wembley pitch has just killed him,” he added.

Red boss continued, “I was pleased with how Berbatov did against Wolves though and I’ll probably start with him on Wednesday.”

The loss of Rooney would be a bitter blow for the Reds who are already without the injured Michael Owen(hamstring), Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O’Shea (leg).

Wes Brown was replaced at half-time by Gary Neville at Molineux after tweaking his knee, while Jonny Evans is also nursing a knee problem which forced him to miss the trip to Molineux having withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad earlier in the week.

“We’re not far away from having Owen Hargreaves back and Macheda has now started training,” confirmed Sir Alex.

“That’s a bonus because he can score a goal which could be important without Michael Owen for the rest of the season,” he said.

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Valencia has been in sparkling form recently, winning the man of the match award in the Carling Cup final. However, Valencia is not going to get carried away and has dismissed any comparisons with Ronaldo.

“Cristiano is a superstar and I’m Valencia, a footballer learning each day,” he told The Sun.

“I don’t desire comparisons with him as we are different players. And while I’m happy with my work in the team, I know every day I must fight for my place.

“It’s not easy to get into this starting XI here – but this is my challenge.”

The in-form former Wigan winger says he is delighted to be at United where he can win titles. Valencia also hailed manager Alex Ferguson, saying that the coach has boosted his confidence and gave him a chance to shine.

I’m enjoying my best moments as a pro. I always dreamed of being at a big club and to win titles. Now I can fulfil those dreams at United,” Valencia said.

“Sincerely, I didn’t deserve to be man of the match in the Carling Cup final as the success was down to all the team.

“But that day will always be in my head. I’m very happy.

“I’m here because of Mr Ferguson. The coach insisted he wanted me and that came as a surprise to me.

“From the first moment I joined, he was clear with me. He explained why United needed me.

“The key to my good form is I receive the coach’s confidence.

“From afar the image of Mr Ferguson appears different to the one that actually exists.

“Some people believe that he does not connect with the players but, really, he is very open and gives you a chance.”

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Ferguson said on Friday that Rooney may not feature against Wolves after reporting an injury following the midweek friendly clash between England and Egypt.

The England striker had not been feeling well about his knee after the Carling Cup final last Sunday. However, he played the whole game against the Pharoahs.

And Ferguson believes the player is responsible for his injury, not England boss Fabio Capello.

“I don’t think he should have played,” said Ferguson.

“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no.

“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

“Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.

“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I can’t believe it.”

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After being told that he is surplus to requirements at Manchester City, Dunne signed for £5million in the summer. And the Republic of Ireland international quickly proved to be an excellent signing for Aston Villa, as he instantly settled in at Villa Park and formed a solid central defensive partnership with James Collins.

Martin O’Neill’s side has the best defensive record in the Premier League this season and Ferguson acknowledges that Dunne’s signing contributed to his side’s impressive defensive records.

“Martin has done a good job in a quiet way, without spending a great deal of money,” he told the Daily Star.

“He has bought very wisely and signing Dunne, for me, is the buy of the season – £5million for him was outstanding business.

“Martin has done a terrific job with his players. They are a professional, organised team and have improved defensively with Dunne and James Collins.”

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Fletcher’s soul-searching followed being left out of the 2008 Champions League final triumph over Chelsea and his failure to hold down a regular place in the Old Trafford Premier League starting lineup.

Several clubs were interested in him notably Birmingham, whose manager Alex McLeish knew Fletcher well from being manager of the Scottish national side and it just needed the player to take the initiative.

But Ferguson was determined to ensure that did not happen.

And how right that observation proved to be given Fletcher is now firmly established as one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League.

“I was still having doubts because I was in a fairly strong position with only a year left to run on my contract,” Fletcher recalled in an interview for the official League Cup final programme.

“If there was a time to leave it would have been a good opportunity.

“But the manager came to me. The contract talk was put to one side and our discussion was mainly about playing time.

“He said there had been offers but he didn’t want me to go.

“I listened to what he had to say and just decided I did have a future at the club. Fortunately it turned out that way.”

It was the fear of leaving a club he had been with since school without showing his true abilities that eventually proved decisive for the Dalkeith-born star.

“Deep down I just wanted to show what I was capable of,” he said.

“It was never a case of going on to the pitch worried but maybe it wasn’t coming across on the pitch.

“I would have hated to leave having not shown people what I could do.

“That would have been a genuine disappointment, something I would have looked back on and regretted.

“That is what drove me on and what I want to keep maintaining now because I want to be here for the rest of my career and leave some sort of mark on the club.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

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Sir Alex Ferguson’s side looked lethargic in their shock 3-1 defeat at Everton on Saturday, which allowed rivals Chelsea to open up a four point lead at the top of the table.

It was United’s sixth league defeat of the season and what made it more surprising was that it came hot on the heels of their highly impressive Champions League victory against AC Milan in the San Siro.

France international Evra knows Ferguson’s men can’t afford any more slip-ups if they are to haul in Chelsea, least of all against lowly West Ham at Old Trafford.

But the defender admits Ferguson’s squad are suffering from fatigue at just the wrong time and might have lost some of the belief that they can overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s leaders.

“Everton was very disappointing and we’re very upset. I would like to give an excuse, to say we’re very tired after the amazing night in San Siro,” Evra said.

“But I don’t want to give that excuse because I think we didn’t believe we could win.

“Anyway, yes we are tired. Myself, every player, a lot of players have been tired but I think on mentality we lost that game because before the game everyone was just talking about, ‘Oh I feel tired, my legs,’ you know?

“I don’t think we were focused on the game and this is why I don’t want to give that excuse because if you don’t have the right spirit – and I don’t think we had the spirit of a winner – that’s why we lost that game.

“It’s about not believing. We didn’t believe enough. We believe, yes, every time we play in the Manchester United shirt we want to win the game and we believe until the last second, but I think not enough at Everton.

“This is why I’m very frustrated. It’s not easy. It’s a tough place to go and a bad time to play as well, you know, but I think it was just about having a little more belief in the victory and we would have had the better result.

“Manchester United was not the best Manchester United. You can find a lot of excuses to say we were tired but I am very disappointed about all the positions. “Myself, every one. Sometimes it happens.

“It’s not damaging because a lot of teams, big teams, go to Everton and don’t win. This is why it was the target before the game. To say, ‘If we can win there, we can win the title’ We didn’t do that.

“So now we have West Ham and have to make sure we get three points before the League Cup final. But it’s not damaging, it just makes it more difficult than we thought to win the league.

“It is not easy, though, because we only have three days to recover but it’s Manchester United and that’s why we play football. If we have a good win I’ll be pleased but for now we need to recover and beat West Ham on Tuesday.”

To make matters worse for Ferguson, West Ham will arrive at Old Trafford high on confidence following a thumping win over Hull which lifted them clear of the relegation zone.

However, Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola knows a kick in teeth is never far away in the Premier League, especially against a United side smarting from defeat.

Zola said: “The last two results have been big for us, not only in terms of points and position in the table, but in terms of confidence for the whole team.

“But we have some massive games coming up, starting with Tuesday and we have to stay focused. It is not over yet.

“We are looking better but need to keep a focus. This is a team that when it plays with confidence, can be a surprise.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

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The Americans have been the target of fans’ criticism recently, United supporters unhappy with off-field matters including the scale of the club’s debt.

But Ferguson told Sunday’s Observer newspaper: “I’m never against protest.

“It’s everyone’s right, there’s no doubt about that.

“But my problem with it, being manager of Manchester United, is that I’ve got owners who have never caused me any bother.

“Any time I’ve asked for money they have given it to us.”

Ferguson then turned to striker Wayne Rooney, whose red-hot form has helped compensate for the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last summer.

“What we’re seeing now is a terror of a player,” said the Scot.

“What he’s got that he can’t lose is an in-built hunger, in-built energy, in-built desire. Some people are born with these things.”

The United boss also revealed that despite the protracted saga of his move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo remains on good terms with him.

“The only reason he was sold was because the boy fervently wanted to leave,” said Ferguson.

“I got a text from him last week saying: ‘I miss you so much’. I’d texted him to say happy birthday. He was 24. And he said he missed me, and ‘thanks for all the kind things you’re saying about me’. You appreciate things like that.”

LONDON (AFP)

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