Cristiano Ronaldo: "I can't wait for the Manchester game"

With la Liga out of reach and the Copa del Rey on hold until 27th February, the Madrid players only have Manchester United to think about. In an interview published on Sunday by 'The Sun', the Portuguese superstar could not hide his enthusiasm about going head to head with the club responsible for catapulting him to the highest heights of the footballing world.

"I had a feeling we would draw United", says Cristiano. "When it happened, I was really happy, although I know it will be a really tough knock-out round. I’m aware that there will be a lot of attention on me, but that doesn't put me under more pressure at all. It's just a game of football against my old team. I'm not going to war, I'm going home".

Ronaldo's time at United was a very happy stage in his career and the Portuguese player has not forgotten that he won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or there. "Manchester was my home and it still holds a special place in my heart. When people treat you really well, you never forget it".

Another focal point of the Madrid-United knock-out matches will be the battle of the benches between the two most successful managers in the world. "United is the best team in England - it wins one of the titles every year. And it has a fantastic trainer in Alex Ferguson. We also have one though with José Mourinho. And he's my coach now, so obviously I hope Mourinho wins. It would be unfair to say that one is better than the other; it's like comparing a Ferrari and a Porsche. They are both really good".