Alex Ferguson takes his United side to the Spanish capital after extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with Sunday’s 2-0 win at home to Everton.

“The world is not waiting for other matches in the Champions League so I hope we can give the world what they are waiting for,” purred Madrid boss Mourinho.

The meeting also marks the latest instalment in the Ferguson-Mourinho duel with the Scot emerging triumphant last time the pair locked horns as United disptached Mourinho’s former employers Inter Milan 2-0 on aggregate at the same stage of the 2008-09 competition.

His current Madrid side is sixteen points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga and only the delivery of a tenth Champions League title to the famous old club would be enough to appease his critics in the Spanish capital.

Mourinho’s reign at Madrid has been a tumultuous one this season, with a series of dressing room disputes between the Portuguese coach and his players.

Despite the problems Madrid are enjoying some good form, losing only once in twelve outings in all competitions, and it is two years since they lost a Champions League game at the Santiago Bernabeu when Barcelona were the victors.

Cristiano Ronaldo will face his old club on the back of another hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday and his attacking partner Gonzalo Higuain is convinced their side can beat United in the Bernabeu.

“With our individual quality and counter-attacking play we can do a lot of damage to United,” said Ronaldo. “We have to keep it solid at the back and find our winning mentality and team spirit. Madrid are almost at full strength and the inclusion or not of Portuguese centre-half Pepe is Mourinho’s big dilemma.

United are undefeated in 14 games and Rio Ferdinand told UEFA.com that former team-mate Ronaldo is the key man to stop.“You get as many people around the ball when he’s got it as possible, but Madrid are that good a side you have to make sure you’re set up right and that your team are in good positions all over the pitch to defend,” said Ferdinand.

“The fans appreciated him when he was here and since he’s been gone they sing his name. He came here a young boy and left a world-class player. He showed a lot of respect when he left and still does.”

Klopp determined Dortmund fire against Shakhtar

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has insisted his side will bounce back at Shakhtar Donetsk tonight in their Champions League Last 16 first leg clash following a heavy home defeat by Hamburg.

Dortmund went down 4-1 at home on Saturday as they conceded four goals without reply at the hands of Hamburg and now face a tough trip to Ukraine.

The German champion’s pressing game deserted them as Hamburg found plenty of space to attack down the wing with South Korea’s Son Heung-Min and Latvia’s Artjoms Rudnevs both scoring twice in the match.

“We weren’t good against Hamburg and deserved to lose, we’ll be better on Wednesday,” said Klopp.Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said his team will have to produce something special to beat Dortmund.

“Dortmund won the strongest group in this season’s competition and that gives you an idea of how good they are,” said the Romanian. “Maybe you wouldn’t call Borussia superstars but their team play has been perfectly fine tuned.

“I hope the class and experience of our players will allow us to approach the Borussia games in top shape and so qualify for the quarter-finals.”

Ronaldo’s season stats
Matches: 33
Goals: 34
Assists: 6
Persies’s season stats
Matches: 31
Goals: 23
Assists: 7