It's an oft repeated fact that Jose Mourinho has had the beating of Sir Alex Ferguson thus far, with the wily Scot managing just one win over the flamboyant Portuguese in 12 attempts.

'The Special One' and his Inter side host Fergie's Manchester United on Tuesday evening as Champions League action resumes, and the Red Devils' gaffer is keen to play down the statistics.

Talking to the press, Ferguson said of the record, "The stat doesn't matter tonight.

"When Jose came to England there was a great upsurge in Chelsea's position in the game. It happened suddenly.

"He came in and uttered those words - 'I am the Special One' - and that seemed to galvanise the whole club. They won two titles and caught us on the hop really because their starts to the seasons were fantastic.

"They remained undefeated at Stamford Bridge while he was there. It was a fantastic record.

"Still, I don't go around thinking about all the games I have played against other managers. I am not into that kind of thing.

"One victory in 12 is not a stat I like to think about but it depends on how you look at it. Its not 11 defeats is it? I would worry then!"

Inter Are No AC Milan

For the record, it's six wins for Jose, one for Sir Alex and five draws. Another figure to worry United fans is the fact that the Mancunians have won just three of 15 on Italian soil, losing ten.

Ferguson, though, had his own ammunition. He was keen to reiterate that both United and AC Milan have more European Cups in the bag than Inter.

He continued, "We have won the European Cup only three times and then you see how many times AC Milan have won it. Inter? Just twice.

"It is amazing for a club with that history, and it's a big challenge for them."