Manchester United fans could have been forgiven for expressing dread at facing arguably the second strongest side on the continent, but instead they were delighted to draw Real Madrid for the first time in 10 seasons.
Notwithstanding Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford homecoming in March, it is a fixture steeped in history which dates as far back as 1957 and has taken in eight pulsating games laden with 31 goals.
Captains Miguel Munoz and Roger Byrne, Old Trafford 1957
Di Stefano, Charlton, Joseíto, Edwards, Kopa, Best, Gento, Law, Zidane, Giggs, Raúl, Scholes and other greats have graced world football's glamour tie.
The relationship between the clubs turned cold during Ramón Calderón's presidency at the Bernabéu however since Ronaldo's transfer it has thawed. United fans, who once joined in with Barcelona supporters for a rendition of "F**k you Real Madrid" at the 2009 Champions League final, have regained respect for Real, who offered the survivors of the Munich air disaster holidays back in 1958.
Manchester United vs Real Madrid: a history in pictures
(01 of50)
The Busby Babes pose before taking off for Madrid in 1957
Real Madrid(02 of50)
13th April 1957: The Real Madrid team before playing Manchester United in the European Cup semi final. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sport. Football. pic: April 1957. European Cup Semi - Final Ist Leg. Real Madrid 3. v Manchester United 1. in the Bernabeu Stadium. Manchester United goalkeeper Ray Wood saves under pressure from Real Madrid's Alfredo Di Stefano as United players, l-r, Du(03 of50)
Sport, Football, pic: April 1957, European Cup Semi - Final Ist Leg, Real Madrid 3, v Manchester United 1, in the Bernabeu Stadium, Manchester United goalkeeper Ray Wood saves under pressure from Real Madrid's Alfredo Di Stefano as United players, l-r, Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne and Jackie Blanchflower look on (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(04 of50)
Bill Foulkes, Manchester United right back (left of picture), and Eddie Colman, Manchester United's right half, come to the assistance of their centre-half John "Jackie" Blanchflower who has rolled on the ground with a Real Madrid player (white shirt) during the European Cup semi-final, second leg match. result was a 2-2 draw giving Real Madrid a winning aggregate of 5-3 (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup - Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford(05 of50)
Miguel Munoz, captain of Real Madrid, arriving at Heathrow Airport for the European Cup semi final second leg against Manchester United. (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(06 of50)
Rival captain Miguel Munoz (left) of Real Madrid and Roger Byrne of Manchester United shake hands before the Kick off of their European Cup Semi-Final second leg match at Manchester. Result was a 2 -2 draw giving Real Madrid a winning aggregate of 5 -3. (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(07 of50)
Real Madrid players appeal to the linesman in a foul on Marquitos , their centre-half , lying on ground with other Madrid players around him . An incident during the European Cup semi-final second leg match at Manchester . Result was a 2-2 draw giving real Madrid a winning aggregate of 5-3 . (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(08 of50)
Ray Wood (Manchester United goalkeeper) tips a shot from Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid) over the bar during the European semi-final, second leg match at Manchester. Result was a 2-2 draw giving Real Madrid a winning aggregate of 5-3 . (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(09 of50)
Real Madrid goalkeeper Juan Alonso leaps to punch away a shot from Manchester United inside right Bill Whelan (dark shirt) during the European Cup Semi Final second leg match Manchester last night. Result was a 2 - 2 draw giving Real Madrid a winning aggregate of 5 - 3. (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(10 of50)
Real Madrid's Juan Alonso manages to punch the ball away, though challenged on his goal line by Manchester United inside right Billy Whelan in the European Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, Manchester. Manchester United, two goals down at half-time, tried desperately to weave their way to victory but this second leg of semi-final ended in a two-all draw. This, with their three goals in the earlier match in Madrid gave the Spaniards a 5-3 win on aggregate. (credit:PA)
Soccer - European Cup Semi Final - 2nd Leg - Manchester United v Real Madrid - Old Trafford, Manchester(11 of50)
Manchester United goalkeeper Ray Wood falls, Real Madrid 's outside right Raymond Kopa goes down as well (right) but he scores the vital first goal for his team at the European Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Sport. Football. Old Trafford, England. 24th April 1968. European Cup Semi-Final. 1st leg. Manchester United 1 v Real Madrid 0. Manchester United captain Denis Law (left) exchanges pennants with Real Madrid's captain Francisco Gento as referee T. Bakhramo(12 of50)
Sport, Football, Old Trafford, England, 24th April 1968, European Cup Semi-Final, 1st leg, Manchester United 1 v Real Madrid 0, Manchester United captain Denis Law (left) exchanges pennants with Real Madrid's captain Francisco Gento as referee T, Bakhramov looks on (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Man Utd(13 of50)
Contenders for the European Cup Real Madrid and Manchester United, in the shape of one Real player and United's Denis Law (centre) and Aston (right) go high in the air in their battle at Old Trafford. (credit:PA)
(14 of50)
Referee Tofik Bakhramov (l) prevents trainer Jack Crompton (second l) from treating Manchester United's George Best (c), as two Real Madrid players check the damage and Manchester United's Denis Law (r) watches. Bakhramov was the Russian linesman in the 1966 World Cup final
(15 of50)
Brian Kidd congratulates George Best on his winner
Sport. Football. Old Trafford, England. 24th April 1968. European Cup Semi-Final. 1st leg. Manchester United 1 v Real Madrid 0. Manchester United's John Aston (right) leaps for the ball with Real Madrid's Perez.(16 of50)
Sport, Football, Old Trafford, England, 24th April 1968, European Cup Semi-Final, 1st leg, Manchester United 1 v Real Madrid 0, Manchester United's John Aston (right) leaps for the ball with Real Madrid's Perez (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968. Manchester United's manager Sir Matt Busby pictured in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid before his team+s European Cup semi-final, scond leg match. United drew 3-3 and made it to their first European Cup Final.(17 of50)
Football, 1968, Manchester United's manager Sir Matt Busby pictured in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid before his team+s European Cup semi-final, scond leg match, United drew 3-3 and made it to their first European Cup Final (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968. Manchester United's George Best in the city of Madrid in Spain with his father before the team's vital European Cup Semi Final Second Leg.(18 of50)
Football, 1968, Manchester United's George Best in the city of Madrid in Spain with his father before the team's vital European Cup Semi Final Second Leg (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sport. Football. pic: 15th May 1968. 1968 European Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg. Madrid. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3. Manchester United players wave to the crowd, left-right, Nobby Stiles, Shay Brennan, David Sadler, Tony Dunne, Brian Kidd, Bill Foulkes(19 of50)
Sport, Football, pic: 15th May 1968, 1968 European Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg, Madrid, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3, Manchester United players wave to the crowd, left-right, Nobby Stiles, Shay Brennan, David Sadler, Tony Dunne, Brian Kidd, Bill Foulkes, John Aston and Alex Stepney (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg. Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3. Action during the match showing the Real Madrid goalkeeper diving across his goal.(20 of50)
Football, 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg, Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3, Action during the match showing the Real Madrid goalkeeper diving across his goal (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg. Real Madrid v Manchester United 3. Santiago Bernebeu Stadium. Manchester United's Action during the match. United drew 3-3 and made it to their first European Cup Final.(21 of50)
Football, 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg, Real Madrid v Manchester United 3, Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Manchester United's Action during the match, United drew 3-3 and made it to their first European Cup Final (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Gento Scores(22 of50)
15th May 1968: Manchester United keeper Alex Stepney lets the ball go through his legs for Francisco Gento to score Real Madrid's second goal in the European Cup second leg semi-final at the Bernabau Stadium in Madrid. The final score was 3-3. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sadler Scores(23 of50)
15th May 1968: David Sadler scores Manchester United's second goal with a back heel in the European Cup second leg semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabau Stadium in Madrid. The final score was 3-3. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Kidd Jumps(24 of50)
15th May 1968: Brian Kidd of Manchester United gets up to head the ball in the European Cup second leg semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabau Stadium in Madrid. The final score was 3-3. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg. Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3. United's Bobby Charlton is overcome with emotion after the draw with Real earnt them their first ever place in a European Cup Final.(25 of50)
Football, 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg, Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3, United's Bobby Charlton is overcome with emotion after the draw with Real earnt them their first ever place in a European Cup Final (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football. 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg. Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3. United's Nobby Stiles and Pat Crerand (left) celebrate in the bath after the game following their draw which earnt their first ever (26 of50)
Football, 1968 European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg, Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, Spain, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3, United's Nobby Stiles and Pat Crerand (left) celebrate in the bath after the game following their draw which earnt their first ever European Cup Final place (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Volume 2. Page 9. Picture number 7. Sport. Football. 15th May 1968. Madrid, Spain. European Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3. United win 4-3 on aggregate. Manchester United star George Best celebrates under the shower after Manc(27 of50)
Volume 2, Page 9, Picture number 7, Sport, Football, 15th May 1968, Madrid, Spain, European Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester United 3, United win 4-3 on aggregate, Manchester United star George Best celebrates under the shower after Manchester United qualified for the European Cup Final (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Madrid Spain, 15th May1968. European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg. Real Madrid 3 v Manchester Unied 3. Manchester United's Bobby Charlton (2L) with his manager Sir Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy (left) and Jack Crompton after 1968 European Cup Semi Final match in(28 of50)
Madrid Spain, 15th May1968, European Cup Semi Final, Second Leg, Real Madrid 3 v Manchester Unied 3, Manchester United's Bobby Charlton (2L) with his manager Sir Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy (left) and Jack Crompton after 1968 European Cup Semi Final match in Madrid (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Manchester United Team(29 of50)
4 Apr 2000: The Manchester United Team during the UEFA Champions League game between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. The game finished 0-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) and Manches(30 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN: Real Madrid's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) and Manchester United's Captain Roy Keane (L) fight for the ball during their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match which ended by a nil draw, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium 04 April 2000. (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jaap Stam of Manchester United(31 of50)
4 Apr 2000: Jaap Stam of Manchester United appeals to the referee during the UEFA Champions League game between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. The game finished 0-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Steve McManaman of Real Madrid and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United(32 of50)
4 Apr 2000: Steve McManaman of Real Madrid and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League game between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. The game finished 0-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Raul of Real Madrid is challenged by Jaap Stam of Manchester United(33 of50)
4 Apr 2000: Raul of Real Madrid is challenged by Jaap Stam of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League game between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. The game finished 0-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Roy Keane(34 of50)
19 Apr 2000: Roy Keane of Manchester United waits for the ground to open up after scoring an own-goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Real Madrid won the match 3-2. \Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Raul(35 of50)
19 Apr 2000: Raul scores the second goal for Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Real Madrid won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
RAUL/MANCHESTER UNITED - REAL MADRID 2:3(36 of50)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 19: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 99/00, Manchester/ENG; MANCHESTER UNITED - REAL MADRID 2:3; JUBEL RAUL/MADRID (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham(37 of50)
19 Apr 2000: David Beckham scores the first goal for Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Real Madrid won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid(38 of50)
19 Apr 2000: Real Madrid players salute the crowd after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Real Madrid won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03 Real Madrid - Manchester United(39 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03 Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Fans (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03 Real Madrid - Manchester United(40 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03 Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Einlauf, Begruessung (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03 Real Madrid - Manchester United(41 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03 Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Schiedsrichter Anders FRISK/SWE, Fernando HIERRO/Madrid (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United players look dejected after Luis Figo of Real Madrid scores the first goal with a stunning effort(42 of50)
MADRID - APRIL 8: Manchester United players look dejected after Luis Figo of Real Madrid scores the first goal with a stunning effort during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match held on April 8, 2003 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid won the match 3-1. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03 Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1(43 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03, Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Jubel RAUL/Real (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03 Real Madrid - Manchester United(44 of50)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03 Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Ruud VAN NISTELROOY/Manchester, Fernando HIERRO/Madrid, Ruud VAN NISTELROOY (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham of Manchester United on the subs bench(45 of50)
MANCHESTER - APRIL 23: David Beckham of Manchester United on the subs bench during the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg match between Manchester United and Real Madrid held on April 23, 2003 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 4-3, but lost the tie 6-5 on aggregate. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03(46 of50)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 23: Champions League 02/03, Manchester; Manchester United - Real Madrid; 0:1 Tor RONALDO/Real, Rio FERDINAND/Manchester (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03(47 of50)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 23: Champions League 02/03, Manchester; Manchester United - Real Madrid 4:3; Nicky BUTT/ManU, Zinedine ZIDANE/Madrid, Ole Gunnar SOLKSJAER/ManU (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham of Man Utd scores the 3rd goal(48 of50)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: David Beckham of Man Utd scores the third goal from a free kick during the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg match between Manchester United and Real Madrid on April 23, 2003 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fussball: Champions League 02/03(49 of50)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 23: Champions League 02/03, Manchester; Manchester United - Real Madrid 4:3; Quinton FORTUNE, Rio FERDINAND/ManU, Fernando HIERRO/Ivan HELGUERA/Madrid, Nicky BUTT/Manu (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Ronaldo celebrates after s(50 of50)
Real Madrid's Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Manchester United during their UEFA Champions League quarter final 2nd leg at Old Trafford in Manchester 23 April 2003. AFP Photo Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)