Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Jose Mourinho over the way Inter Milan handled Barcelona last week.

In Barcelona on Wednesday, Inter remained defensively strong, despite the first-half dismissal of Thiago Motta and thoroughly deserved to go through.

It was a reminder for Ferguson of the way his own side played against the Catalan giants at the same stage of the competition two seasons ago.

The Manchester United manager has always refused to reveal what went wrong in Rome 12 months later when the Red Devils were so comprehensively outplayed.

But, from Ferguson's own words, it appeared they drifted too far away from that initial masterplan.

"Inter were brilliant," he said. "They set their stall out very well and I couldn't see them losing the game.

"(Esteban) Cambiasso filled all the spaces. Inter let Barcelona cross the ball all the time and it was never a problem.

"We faced Barcelona two years ago and they didn't really create any chances against us either.

"I am sure there is a way to play against them."