MADRID, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid displays have come as something of a surprise to former boss Alex Ferguson who described his form as “phenomenal” on the eve of Manchester United’s Champions League tie at Real Madrid.

Portugal forward Ronaldo, sold by United for a world record fee of 94 million euros ($126.57 million) in 2009, faces his old club for the first time in Wednesday’s last-16 first leg tie.

MADRID, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Real Madrid may have lacked motivation against lesser teams this season but coach Jose Mourinho believes they will rise to the occasion in Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester United.

The last-16 first leg match represents the first time the clubs have met in almost a decade and Mourinho said on Tuesday it was the kind of challenge he and his players relished.

MADRID (Reuters) – Since Real Madrid last played Manchester United, getting a 6-5 aggregate win in the 2002-03 Champions League quarter-finals, the Spanish side have given their English rivals a thorough drubbing in the financial arena.

United, who play at Real’s Bernabeu stadium in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg, topped Deloitte’s Money League for eight years between 1997 and 2004. Then the Spanish champions surged past and they have led the way in annual income ever since.

MADRID (Reuters) – Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces former club Manchester United for the first time in a mouth-watering Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday dripping in history and intrigue.

The world’s most expensive player has won over the Bernabeu faithful with some breathtaking performances and will have the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents against the Premier League leaders.

MADRID, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Since Real Madrid last played Manchester United, getting a 6-5 aggregate win in the 2002-03 Champions League quarter-finals, the Spanish side have given their English rivals a thorough drubbing in the financial arena.

United, who play at Real’s Bernabeu stadium in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg, topped Deloitte’s Money League for eight years between 1997 and 2004. Then the Spanish champions surged past and they have led the way in annual income ever since.

MADRID, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces former club Manchester United for the first time in a mouth-watering Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday dripping in history and intrigue.

The world’s most expensive player has won over the Bernabeu faithful with some breathtaking performances and will have the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents against the Premier League leaders.

MADRID (Reuters) – German cyclist Joerg Jaksche told the Operation Puerto trial on Monday that the treatment he received from Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes was designed to beat doping controls and had nothing to do with genuine health issues.

On the first day of testimony from professional riders before the judge in Madrid, Jaksche’s evidence could have a bearing on whether the court decides that Fuentes, who denies doping, and his four fellow defendants violated public health laws.

MADRID, Feb 11 (Reuters) – German cyclist Joerg Jaksche told the Operation Puerto trial on Monday that the treatment he received from Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes was designed to beat doping controls and had nothing to do with genuine health issues.

On the first day of testimony from professional riders before the judge in Madrid, Jaksche’s evidence could have a bearing on whether the court decides that Fuentes, who denies doping, and his four fellow defendants violated public health laws.

MADRID (Reuters) – Paris St Germain’s trip to Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday pits the wealthy French team against one of many La Liga clubs struggling to stay competitive after years of financial struggle.

The contrast is less than flattering for Valencia who, rather than splurging hundreds of millions of euros on top players, have been forced year-in year-out to sell leading performers like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata.

MADRID, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Paris St Germain’s trip to Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday pits the wealthy French team against one of many La Liga clubs struggling to stay competitive after years of financial struggle.

The contrast is less than flattering for Valencia who, rather than splurging hundreds of millions of euros on top players, have been forced year-in year-out to sell leading performers like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata.