Back to the future for United

Thanks to the Champions League draw, we now know the ghost of Christmas past will be returning to the Theatre of Dreams in 2013 in the form of old boy wonder Ronaldo.

But, more intriguingly, Manchester United’s meeting with Real Madrid will also see an appearance at Old Trafford by a contender for the role of ghost of Christmas future, as Jose Mourinho arrives to once more pit his wits against Alex Ferguson.

For those reasons and also because, historically, these are two of the most storied clubs in the history of European football, the clash of United and Madrid stands head and shoulders above the rest of the last-16 draw, ensuring a vast global audience will be tuning in when the first and second leg drama unfolds in Manchester and Madrid in late February and early March next year.