MADRID — Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces former club Manchester United for the first time in a mouth-watering Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu Wednesday dripping in history and intrigue. The world's most expensive player has won over the Bernabeu faithful with some breathtaking performances and will have the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents against the Premier League leader. The managerial battle between Real's Jose Mourinho and United's Alex Ferguson is another fascinating aspect of the tie, but Ronaldo's bid to destroy his old teammates should take center stage as two of the world's biggest clubs lock horns. Seen as a more mature and less selfish player, Ronaldo has a chance to live up to comparisons with former Real great Alfredo Di Stefano as he faces United for the first time since the club paid 94 million euros ($126 million) to lure him to Spain in 2009. Now 28, he made his name in England after joining from Sporting as an 18-year-old in 2003 and went on to win the World Player of the Year award five years later. He has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year and warmed up for the United game with a hat trick in a 4-1 destruction of Sevilla, earning a rousing ovation from the home faithful when he was substituted late on. It is a significant turnaround from a difficult patch earlier in the season when he raised eyebrows and prompted talk of an exit from the club by telling reporters he was unhappy "for professional reasons". Ronaldo said it was not about money and he and the club now appear to have put it all behind them so he can focus on helping Real secure the 10th European crown that has eluded them since their last triumph in 2002. "The Champions League is very special at Madrid because we want to win a 10th European title," Ronaldo said in an interview with British daily The Sun. "For me it is the pinnacle. "There are so many memorable matches that remain in the minds of the players and the fans. I want to make my contribution, I want to leave my mark." Ronaldo spent six seasons with United and scored 118 goals in 292 games. At Real he has netted 182 in 179 matches, a far higher goals-per-game ratio than Di Stefano's 308 in 396 appearances in the 1950s and 60s when he helped the club to five successive European titles. Wednesday's match also renews the intriguing rivalry between Mourinho and Ferguson who have struck up a friendship over the years. History favors Real. It has won three of its four previous European ties against United - in the semifinals in 1956-57 and the quarterfinals in 1999-2000 and 2002-03. United eliminated Real in the 1967-68 semifinals. Real has won eight of its last nine home Champions League games while United has been victorious only twice in 20 visits to Spain. The return leg is at United's Old Trafford stadium on March 5. Shakhtar Donetsk, meanwhile, faces German champion Borussia Dortmund in the other match. — Agencies
