Red Devils and Dragons await fiery rematch

UEFA Champions League holders Manchester United FC may have lost two of their three previous ties with FC Porto, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to be drawn against them in the quarter-finals.

Home advantage
"This is a good draw for us," said Sir Alex, whose side will kick off proceedings at Old Trafford on 7 April. "You sometimes wonder if being at home first is a good or a bad thing, but I think in this modern-day competition there's no indication of what is better. The only thing you hope is that you don't lose a goal in the home tie." Though Ferguson is undecided, history shows that the team hosting the opening leg in meetings between these clubs in UEFA competition has always gone on to win.

Portuguese accent
United boast Portuguese talent in Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani while Brazilian midfielder Anderson joined the Red Devils from Porto in 2007. Sir Alex thinks that will help as his side look to avenge their exit at the hands of the Dragons in the first knockout round in 2003/04 – when Porto went on to lift the trophy under José Mourinho. "We've met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team," said Sir Alex. "We have had a huge Portuguese influence in the club, firstly with [former assistant manager] Carlos Queiroz but now with Cristiano and Nani. So we understand Portuguese football."

Daunting draw
The draw is a daunting one for Porto, yet the Liga champions have the upper hand in previous meetings with United. They overcame United 6-5 on aggregate in their first encounter, a 1977/78 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second-round clash, and while they lost out to Sir Alex's men in the 1996/97 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, that 2003/04 victory leaves them on top in statistical terms. Vítor Baía, Porto's goalkeeper five years ago and now their director of international relations, is certainly not cowed by the prospect of tackling United. The 39-year-old said: "We are an ambitious club and we want to make the semi-final. Last time we played them it was a great performance and we will try to do the same again."

'Different world'
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira, meanwhile, is concerned that the approaching quarter-final may distract his charges from their domestic programme, but he said: "I will not rest anyone as there will be no easy games." However, he recognises that his squad will be up against it when they face the European champions, with the second leg scheduled for 15 April. "Results are unpredictable and anything can happen," he added. "The differences between FC Porto and Manchester United are huge. They don't have a better European pedigree than us but they live in a different world."