Despite dominating for long periods at the San Siro a fortnight ago, United failed to get the away goal that would have put a completely different complexion on the Champions League last-16 encounter at Old Trafford.
Yet failing to beat Mourinho was not a new experience for Ferguson.
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In 13 attempts, the Reds chief has managed it only once - a Darren Fletcher header defeating Chelsea in November 2005.
It is a run that includes a two-legged loss to FC Porto at exactly the same stage of the competition five years ago, when Mourinho famously charged down the touchline in celebration, and one that some feel will allow the Inter chief to emerge triumphant again.
"It is strange just to have one win against Mourinho," admitted Ferguson.
"It proves I am not infallible. I am vulnerable, just like anyone else in football.
"But the personal record does not bother me one bit. It can happen.
"I look at this football club and I have every right to be proud of it and what it has achieved in the time I have been here. That is more important to me."
And, while Ferguson's amazing career has experienced its fair share of disappointing nights, he only has to trawl back 11 months of the 26 years he has been in charge for the result that gives him hope.
Tense
In last season's semi-final, United emerged from the away leg against Barcelona with exactly the same goalless scoreline.
A first-half Paul Scholes goal at Old Trafford proved enough to settle a tense decider, sending the Reds on their way to ultimate glory in Moscow.
"You can never be over confident in this position simply because an away goal can be a severe setback," he said.
"That was the situation when we played Barcelona. What we required that night was magnificent concentration and really good focus in our game. We manage to get through because of both those two factors."
United's chances of victory have been aided greatly by confirmation Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea are fit after suffering weekend injuries.
Ferguson has had a team in mind since Sunday, with Scholes and Ryan Giggs among the potential starters after sitting out the 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Not that the United chief is expecting a similarly easy time against Inter.
There may be a feeling Serie A is now lagging behind the Premier League and the Primera Liga in Europe's elite but Ferguson knows Italy remains a footballing powerhouse.
Record
"When you play an Italian side, you have got to be at your best," he said.
"Their record over the years has been fantastic.
"AC Milan have won the European Cup seven times, all in the modern era, which I believe makes them the most successful side because Real Madrid won their first five when European football was just beginning.
"Inter Milan have every right to go into the match thinking they can win.
"They are seven points clear at the top of their league and have a lot of experience. We expect a tough game but they should expect one as well."
Ferguson has a fairly unique build-up as his horse - What a Friend - could land a major prize at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday afternoon.
His part-owner will be glued to his TV, stating there was "never a chance" he would have attempted to make a whistle-stop trip to Gloucestershire.
Ferguson describes his interest as "a bit of fun", although the relaxation side of it may not be in evidence should What a Friend jump the last in contention.
But it could certainly form part of a pretty special win double for United's manager, who weaved a neat path around questions about Mourinho's belief he could be the Scot's Old Trafford successor one day.
"Jose summed it up himself the other day, he is not involved in it - and I am not going to get involved in it either," said Ferguson.
Instead, the United boss will get a decent bottle of red wine out of his personal cellar with which to savour what he hopes to be a day to remember, if not a Mourinho-style touchline charge.
"Look at the ages," he smiled. "There is a difference."
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Comments
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The porto game bar a dodgy descision by the linesman and howard flapping we would have won, we where hardly outplayed, the cc game we had reserves out.
He would try and dismiss the head to head record, it is woeful and i am not sure it is going to improve tomorrow night.
Play Roon and Tev up front to score the goals. When on a roll,continue it.Berba would slow the game down too much,which the Italians would like!
edinburgh red, edinburgh
10/03/2009 at 15:24
excuses! excuse! tut tut!
There are one or two posters who are thinking negative. I hope you don't sit near me! For crying out loud, WE ARE MANCHESTER UNITED - BELIEVE!!!!!
edinburgh red, I don't think there is any need to apologise or make excuses for SAF's record. If people (United fans or otherwise) want to kid themselves that Mourinho is a better manager, let them do so.
it is a worry that he has a poor recore dagainst jose; but on this occasion he holds all the aces expect united to cruise past inter 3-1
iam not worreid this time i think united willcruise past inter; who but for poor finishing by united would already be out of the tie; expect a comfortable margin too 3-1 my tip and another ghost laid to rest
What kind of training exercise involves Rooney kicking Tevez?
Another Fletcher header would do tomorrow.
I'm surprised Mourinho hasn't resigned yet like he did the last time he was scheduled to face United at Old Trafford.
What is this frenzy in the MEN today? All the reporters wetting their pants over Maureen! Get a grip! United will beat Inter 3-1 tomorrow night.
We have had hints of just how good Man United are, especially more recently. I will not be surprised if the special one is greeted with a special win.
i am so full of confidence and I see Inter demolished!!
Its gonna be a goal feast for us! Believe me.
Foresee a tight game and us squeezing out a 4 - 1 victory!
And I can see us getting drawn against Villareal in the next round, just to prove we can score against them when it matters....
Good win by the Scouse.Well done and thanks for getting rid of Real for us. I think we will have less trouble beating you than Madrid in the following rounds!
dave pickup
Youve got jealousy and envy writen all over your face! Get in!lol
Thats why we are so famous across europe and over this planet. We achieve your dreams
si 4 kop
congratulations for tonights win mate. brilliantly scintilating, and a joy to watch. i've not seen an english team play that perfect in europe ever. 'you da men'. good luck for the quarters si. and the weekend.
Liverpool put 5 past Real. Ha! Ronaldo is probably going to sign for life with us now.
Since we are better than Liverpool, by that logic, hope we get more than the 4-1 scoreline predicted by Mrs Fullaway`s lodger.
The two years that Mourhino won, that was like a new tennis player in town. The third season was when the new girl was found out and traveled to pastures anew where she would continue to be new. First EPL, then Serie A, then La Liga, Mourhino is a sharp one.
si 4 kop a few observations
you got home very early
the dirties murdered real well done( worst madrid team to come to these shores ever).
i hope united get the benefit of a couple of iffy decisions tonight like you lot did last night.
ronaldo gets roundly condemmed even on here for diving what is your take on the tumble steveie ME took last night? suprise suprise itv's tame scouser had very little to say it would have been fiorst item on the news this morning had it been ronaldo.
The bitters and scousers will be silenced when we beat Inter.
Fellas - lets stop bagging the boys! The season so far has been a great success and I for one would settle with just the Charity Shield, WC, CC and Premiership every year. 4 down 2 to go!
si 4 kop brilliant win against a poor side.
Gerarrd confirmed my belief that he idves the same if not MORE than Ronaldo, but for some reason, gets away with it ( mind you he could probably get away with GBH!).
abu dhabi city group on our page again...well it is CL week I can understand. As you will be glued to us again, I think you shouyld have a look at Arsenal's opponents before reminding yourself of THE greatest performance evr by an English team in the CL.
Back to Si 4 Kop, jealousy? Of Liverpool?
Are you talking about a team who last won the league when East and West germany held different currency? When Margaret Thatcher was coming to the end of her reign, Peter Shilton was in goal, Liverpool were banned from Europe and Carragher was an Everton fan!
In that time we have gone on to win 12 sorry 11 PL titles 2 CL trophies and goodness knows how many other trophies.
A United fan jealous of Liverpool is as likely as Benitez going through the summer without buying a flop!
Love how when gerrard dives it's called he played for it but ronaldo's a cheat also all of gerrard's pens he's dived for are filed under dubious, good win for them yesterday, we should also adapt the attack mode as they wont be used to a fast tempo game, finally how come on our european nights we get one pc tracking shot of the sikh family behind fergie yet pool always getting a 5min video of them singing gerry and the pacemakers.
Go United to night is the night !!
Forza united !
I hope everyones optomism and certainty regarding tonites game is true. I dont think it is going to be so cut and dry. Its a Mourinho team and anything can happen. If we get through then it will be by the odd goal. And i wouldnt out it past mourinho to have some surprises for us!
I think that si 4 kop should seek out the Man Utd section of a Manchester newspaper website, straight after a great win for Liverpool, says it all really.
As it ever was, Liverpool fans are still more obsessed with Man Utd (+ Manchester too) than their own club. Even when they were winning everything back in the 1970s & 80s - it really got to them that a "failing" Manchester United were still bigger & more charismatic than them.
Manchester United were setting trends & beguiling Europe, when Liverpool still hadn't heard of the place!!
(Oh and don't mention the World Club Champions thing either - English people outside of Manchester get very upset about that!!)