Where was the Mourinho fire? Where was the passion and determination which he once inspired in his sides during trophy-laden spells at Porto and Chelsea?

Precious little of it was on show at the San Siro as Inter Milan and Manchester United fought out a goalless draw which keeps the most intriguing tie of the Champions League last 16 stage in the balance.

After all the hype, what a disappointment that was.

What a disappointment that United did not turn their superior football and their copious chances into the win which would have made life so much easier in the return leg at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time.

A 0-0 scoreline can be dangerous in this competition. But it is Mourinho who might rue not following his natural instinct to be brave. To match fire with fire.

After all, he had fashioned six wins, four draws and just two defeats from his previous 12 encounters against Ferguson with Porto and Chelsea.

But in truth, apart from a 15-minute spell in the second half, we saw little of his charismatic influence at the San Siro.

Brazilian striker Adriano was anonymous. On this showing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's face should be crimson with embarrassment at Mourinho's suggestion that he will be the next world player of the year.

So much of United's work was superior, exemplified by the domination enjoyed by Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea at the heart of United's defence.

There was a pleasing balance to Ferguson's line-up, even with Wayne Rooney starting on the substitutes' bench and Dimitar Berbatov up front as a lone striker.

Space too. Lots of it. And Cristiano Ronaldo with space is an invitation to create havoc. The Portuguese star accepted it.

He began as if determined to confirm his status as the world's best footballer. Two fizzing free kicks, a couple of shimmying runs laden with extravagant step-overs and a header from a Giggs corner which Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar was grateful to parry away. And all that before the clock had ticked beyond 10 minutes.

The way United dictated the pace and controlled the rhythm, spoke volumes for their confidence.

Spoke volumes for the way Ferguson at 67 has digested all those lessons from almost two decades of European action.

Spoke volumes for the unfussy but effective work of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher at the heart of the United midfield, Fletcher in particular deserving of praise following the news of the attack on his home and loved ones less than 24 hours before.

It was inevitable that Inter would get better in the second half. They could hardly have got worse. And at last there was an ebb and flow to proceedings with Mourinho eventually switching to a 4-3-3 formation and genuine attacking intent.

The truth, however, is that United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar barely had a save to make, which is why Ferguson might yet rue the chances his team squandered.

Then again United are clearly the better team. If there is any justice they should prove so conclusively at Old Trafford.