Not only the English players but others like Ronaldo and Vidic were not so sharp.
But for now Mourinho, like Ronaldo and Craig, must endure, as they continue their constant battle to secure a right to privacy.
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The Portuguese reached the last four at Euro 2000 and the final at Euro 2004, but having missed out on the trophy both times, that generation's greatest chance of success is now gone and younger players like Cristiano Ronaldo have taken centre stage.
United manager Alex Ferguson admitted recently he would like to see Ronaldo return to Old Trafford, but the Madeira-born striker has moved to quell talk of an imminent move by saying he wishes to see out the remainder of his contract at Real, which expires in 2015.
Catching up with American International Group's level of profitability will strike many as akin to trying to play soccer like Brazil's Ronaldo.
"I might sound boring, but today no one even dares to think that players like Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo can come to Italy, " he said.
There was a lack of belief about United, which is not like them, and Cristiano Ronaldo set the tone early on.
For a large chunk of this campaign it looked like misplaced loyalty from Ferguson as Ronaldo's highlights were all too often in his hair rather than on the field.
After the tournament, Ronaldo revealed that he would like to leave United, but at the end of the 2006-07 season the forward agreed a new five-year contract.
While Messi often plays with a smile on his face like a kid in the schoolyard, Ronaldo is often seen moaning, gesticulating and scowling while trying to inspire Real to victory.
Just ask soccer players David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo, or American sports stars like Tiger, Kobe, Jeter, and Wade, or tennis stars like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
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It has uncompromising defenders who pass the ball accurately when they win back possession, midfielders who can find streaking forwards with accuracy and fast, deadeye frontmen like Karim Benzema and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
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But United look like they are going to win the Premier League and Ronaldo has been an inspiration for them.
Ronaldo himself was quoted last week as saying that he "would like to play for Real Madrid - but only if they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them".
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