Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Barcelona: Jose Mourinho tips United to defend Champion League crown
This season's final, featuring United and Barcelona, takes place in Rome. Mourinho predicts a close encounter.
Over the last 20 years few finals have finished with a winning margin of three or more goals, he said, among which 'Porto beat Monaco 3-0 and AC Milan beat Barcelona 4-0 in Athens.' Otherwise, most finals were 'very tight,' he said.
Former Chelsea coach Mourinho favors defending champion United, coached by his friend Alex Ferguson, to claim its fourth European Cup. It would be the first time the title has been successfully defended in its present form, which started in 1992.
'Ferguson has the same mentality I have — that's why he won the previous two' he said. Ferguson previously won it in 1999 and 2008.
Mourinho, who won the title with Porto in the 2004 final in Germany, just signed a contract extension to coach Inter Milan through the 2012 season.
The 46-year-old guided Inter to the Serie A title in his first season in charge after taking over from Roberto Mancini. He said he wants to stay in charge to reach the Champions League final.
'I think so,' the Portuguese coach said in a May 23 interview when asked if he could win the competition with Inter in the coming years.
