Sir Alex Ferguson says in his book:
During Mourinho's time at Madrid, I would follow what was happening in Spain every week.
That captivating clash between Mourinho and Barcelona was, for me, like an exciting series I eagerly awaited every week.
Barcelona was at the top of the world; who would dare to challenge them and risk their history and status in facing them?
Only José Mourinho was capable of doing it.
Porto's miracle, Inter's treble, making history with Chelsea, none of that equaled what Mourinho did at Real Madrid when he dared to stand up to the strongest Barcelona in history.
It was like going with a small sword to face an army at full strength.
Only those who remembered what that Barcelona team did to United in those two Champions League finals would understand what Sir Alex was saying here.