“The best team lost” were the words of Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho after he oversaw his side defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford and progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Los Blancos edged past their English counterparts 3-2 on aggregate following a somewhat controversial encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, which saw Nani red carded for a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa.
With the tie swung in Real’s favour, Mourinho sent on Luka Modric to net from the edge of the 18 yard box before Cristiano Ronaldo netted the decisive goal with 20 minutes remaining. However, prior to the red the game was very much United’s there for the taking.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were the dominant of the two teams and deservedly took the lead just after half time following some good work by Nani to turn in a low cross that Sergio Ramos inadvertently turned into his own net.
While his side came away with the victory, Mourinho was full of praise for the Manchester outfit, as many witnessed following the full time whistle. But was it simply more than words of acclaim for United? Or was it Jose indirectly declaring his interest in the Old Trafford hot seat having opted against gloating in the victory on Tuesday night?
Either way, his actions following the win would only have appeased the United hierarchy and fans in equal measure, only fuelling the fire that he will be the man to succeed Ferguson when the United legend calls time on his career.