Real Madrid vs Manchester United, UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg: Open Thread

Free usage Composite picture . FA Cup preview. photography Russell Cheyne. Managers Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester Utd) and Jose Mourinho (Chelsea) and FA Cup

The match that everyone is talking about is set to explode today with Real Madrid hosting Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, round of 16.

It’s a clash between the old master versus the younger disciple. Ferguson against Mourinho. La Liga against the Premier League. England versus Spain. So much is riding on the line.

The result from this match will set the stage for the return leg at Old Trafford. A win or draw for United, and they’ll be posed to progress to the next round. But a loss at the Bernabeu could ruin Sir Alex Ferguson’s dreams of lifting a third Champions League trophy before he retires in the not too distant future.

Real Madrid starting XI: Lopez, Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Khedira, Ozil, Alonso, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema.

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Kagawa, Welbeck, Rooney, Van Persie.

The breaking news is that Nemanja Vidic is not on the team or the bench.

In the United States, there’s also the sideshow of “Gus Who?” commentating the game instead of Martin Tyler. Will the American be able to make an impression in his debut appearance?

Before, during or after today’s match, post your rants, raves, questions or observations in the comments section below.