Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes tonight's first-leg clash against Champions League opponents Inter Milan will decide the tie.

"I don't think it will go to extra-time - it will be decided tomorrow," said Ferguson.

"If we score we will have a great chance."

Not that Ferguson is dismissing Inter. Mourinho has only lost one of 12 head-to-head duels with the Scot, so that would be a foolhardy move.

And while the United chief has previously concluded Barcelona are the major obstacle to continued English domination of the competition, he recognises the contest facing his team would not have looked out of place in Rome on May 27.

"At this moment in time you cannot split the teams," he said.

"Inter have won Serie A three times in a row and are going to win it for a fourth time. They have experience; they have a really outstanding manager and some terrific footballers.

"It is a really big game. It would have been a great final."