Is '13 the new '99?

What with Cristiano Ronaldo being linked with a move back to Manchester United this week, I wonder whether this would add a different flavour to Real Madrid's visit to Old Trafford on 5 March for the second leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie.

Real Madrid may have been favourites in the first leg but Manchester United showed great organisation and managed to scrape a draw, with a bit of help from a fantasic goalkeeping display from possibly the weak link in United's side, David de Gea. He may have silenced some of his critics at the Santiago Bernabeu, but with comparisons of the '99 treble winning team being banded about, de Gea still has a lot to prove if he is to be as good as United legend Peter Schmichael who was so pivotal in his sides success that season. However, an aspect of United's squad that is incomparible to that of '99 is the quality. The team of today doesn't contain the likes of super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, midfield general Roy Keane or defensive rock Jaap Stam, but one thing is for certain, this squad has more depth than '99 and I believe that will lead United to at least two trophies this season, the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup.

The only way I can see the Red Devils conquering Europe and emulating the great team of '99, is if Alex Ferguson can firm-up the defensive line, especially the free spirited wing back Rafael. Against Premiership opposition Rafael shows potential as an attacking full back, however, he looks to be missing the solidity that Gary Neville gave United. Sure Rafael can be aggressive, just look at the Manchester derby a few years back when he went nose to nose with Carlos Tevez, but he fails to put that aggression to good use when defending against teams that possess world class wingers. The best example of this was when the teams were announced and it was shown that Rafael would be going toe to toe with Ronaldo. Immediately those with football brains thought Ronaldo would have a breeze, but Ferguson being the wiley tactician that he is, had the presense of mind to add Phil Jones to the picture. Although this didn't stop Ronaldo intirely, it certainly had a detrimental effect on his overall contribution to the match, and without the fire power of the Portugese international, Madrid will definitely struggle to find goals.

There has been much debate in recent years and months about who is the best player in the world; Messi or Ronaldo. In my opinion, it's Ronaldo because he is more well-rounded as an attacking force and unlike Messi, regularly scores incredible headed goals. One such example is from the first leg of the last 16, when he soared five foot above Patrice Evra to score Real's only goal of the game. The fact remains that to have any chance of proceeding to the quarter finals of the Champions League, Manchester Uniteds '99 wannabes will have to do the seemingly impossible, stop Ronaldo.