Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he would relish facing Real Madrid in the Champions League final but is staying focussed on the game against Schalke first.
The Spanish giants are set to play arch-rival Barcelona, from whom they snatched the Copa del Rey in midweek thanks to a header from star winger Cristiano Ronaldo, while Manchester United take on the German team, who have had a fantastic campaign so far in Europe, on Tuesday.
Were the Red Devils to see off Schalke, they would have the chance to land their fourth European crown at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to land a second consecutive European title, but Ferguson believes that Real Madrid will take out last year’s frustration at losing the title to Barca.
He told Sky Sports: "From the moment the draw was made, I thought Real had a big chance, I really did.
"I think that 5-0 defeat Real suffered against Barcelona would have hurt Mourinho deeply and he won't be getting beaten like that again, that's for sure.
"Since then, Real have played Barcelona twice, drawing one and winning the other. For that match, the Copa del Rey final, he put Pepe, normally a centre-back, in midfield and they really got wired in to Barcelona.
"[Cristiano] Ronaldo's header to win the game was fantastic but I have seen him do that before. It was a little similar to the one he scored for us against Roma in Italy.
"I thought maybe the goalkeeper could have done better, but the spring and the power he got - it came from the spine, not the neck.
"He was a threat all night, running behind them. I'm not sure it's a case of relishing playing against him in the final but the best way to look at it is that I hope we are there.
"Then we can look at it and decide how we feel. I don't want to be complacent, we want to get to the final first."
The Spanish giants are set to play arch-rival Barcelona, from whom they snatched the Copa del Rey in midweek thanks to a header from star winger Cristiano Ronaldo, while Manchester United take on the German team, who have had a fantastic campaign so far in Europe, on Tuesday.Were the Red Devils to see off Schalke, they would have the chance to land their fourth European crown at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to land a second consecutive European title, but Ferguson believes that Real Madrid will take out last year’s frustration at losing the title to Barca.
He told Sky Sports: "From the moment the draw was made, I thought Real had a big chance, I really did.
"I think that 5-0 defeat Real suffered against Barcelona would have hurt Mourinho deeply and he won't be getting beaten like that again, that's for sure.
"Since then, Real have played Barcelona twice, drawing one and winning the other. For that match, the Copa del Rey final, he put Pepe, normally a centre-back, in midfield and they really got wired in to Barcelona.
"[Cristiano] Ronaldo's header to win the game was fantastic but I have seen him do that before. It was a little similar to the one he scored for us against Roma in Italy.
"I thought maybe the goalkeeper could have done better, but the spring and the power he got - it came from the spine, not the neck.
"He was a threat all night, running behind them. I'm not sure it's a case of relishing playing against him in the final but the best way to look at it is that I hope we are there.
"Then we can look at it and decide how we feel. I don't want to be complacent, we want to get to the final first."
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