Manchester United v AC Milan: Who will win Champions League showdown at Old Trafford?

Bartee Nimely from Liberia made the following humourous observation: "Football is like a piece of biscuit that breaks where you don't expect it. The outcome is certainly unpredictable."

Nimely, though, does not share with us whether or not it is Milan who have bitten off more than they can chew, or United.

The mysteriously named Dfg from the unfamiliar town Htse believes the result in the San Siro and Milan's mandatory requirement to chase the game will only play to United's ultimate strength; "a high-speed game".

"It's impossible to know, but Manchester has 75 per cent [chance] of winning. Look, Milan will have to score at least two goals so they will attack, and everybody knows that Manchester is one of the fastest teams attacking, so I feel that United has more chances of winning due to their high-speed game."

For Xarom in England, the absence of Rooney could be influential: "It is most likely going to be a draw 1-1 or 2-2. I dont see Milan or Man United (without Rooney) edging the game. However, it could be completely different if Rooney were to play, in which case I would give 2-1 in favour of United."

Perhaps tellingly, no readers had - as of Monday afternoon - given their backing to Milan. Jimmy from Miami even claimed: "Milan will be massacred."

The majority forecast began to be diluted somewhat by Tuesday morning as predictions of Manchester United's demise appeared to increase in popularity.

Zuto from Nigeria said: "AC MILAN will beat MAN U 2-0." Adi Nugroz from Indonesia agreed that Milan would be able to find a two goal advantage, yet claimed the Italians would not be able to successfully shut-out Fergie's League Cup kings. "Man United 1-3 AC Milan. Millan will go through to quarter final."

Besim from Canada counters: "Manchester United will play a 4-3-3 VDS, Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Fletcher, Valencia, Park, Nani, Rooney, (Berba if Rooney is injured). They will play a fast counter attacking game and attack Milan's full backs with pace and win the game 1-0 because we already have a 3-2 lead and dont need more. Milan simply aren't good enough anymore in my opinion."

Hellon Placenta from Fingerland, though, doubts Gary Neville's ability to retain a conventional anthropomorphic state: "My worry right now is our dear skipper. With Wes Brown injured i have a feeling Dinho will turn Gary Neville inside out."

By Wednesday morning, further insight had been made by Goal.com's UK readers, and King from Lagos, Nigeria envisaged the atmosphere should returning prodigal son David Beckham find the net. He also compared new golden boy Wayne Rooney to a popular super hero: "This is a no-brainer. While I know MIlan while score, and in so doing provide us an exciting game (imagine the atmosphere if Beckham scores), United will surely win. Rooney's going to play, and with that I ask U the question, 'Can anyone stop Superman?'" It's a tough question, King, although I heard unsubstantiated reports that Milan may or may not have been stopped at customs due to attempts of bringing kryptonite into the country.

It appears AK from Norway has also heard the kryptonite rumours: "Milan will come back from the deficit and triumph at OT. Rooney will not score today."

Bizarrely, Ben from Somewhere, notes that, despite his advancing years, Neville still has a hunger to succeed. "I think that if Gary Neville plays he'll eat Ronaldinho with his shorts! Ronaldinho has obviously lost a lot of his pace and acceleration over the years (and the sambas) so I think the experience of Neville would help to keep him pretty quiet," Ben said.

The key to any Milan success, Gunnersa from Cape Town, South Africa claimed, is shackling Antonio Valencia: "Statistically if u take care of Rooney and Valencia, u in with a great chance. 'Man mark' Valencia and u double your chances. So if Milan does this, they in with a chance. I just do not know how many aces Rooney has up his sleeves. Best of luck 2 both sides and may the better side win through to the next round."