Real star war is here, Man you can’t miss it!

But the most tantalising of the four will be in Madrid, when the most successful club in the history of European football plays host to the world’s richest.

The clash of footballing styles, along with the individual battles between the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Roy Keane, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, and more intriguingly, Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand, should make it a thriller.

Real, top of the Spanish league and looking to win European soccer’s top prize for the 10th time — in a final which is being held at United’s Old Trafford — will clearly be fancied to win.

Real knocked United out of the quarter-finals three years ago and have since added Zidane, Figo and Ronaldo to the line-up, each one of them a potential matchwinner.

Real skipper Fernando Hierro, who returned for Saturday’s league win over Rayo Vallecano after two months out through injury, said: ‘‘Taking into account the strength of both teams, this could be a European Cup final.

‘‘We are two teams with two similar styles, who attack from the first whistle and play attractive football.

‘‘Neither of will sit back on a lead and that is what makes this, on paper at least, one of the best games you can see in Europe.’’

United will certainly be up for the battle after crushing old enemies Liverpool 4-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to go level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Ferguson is particularly fired up, reportedly telling British papers on Sunday that UEFA had rigged the draw to avoid any all-Spanish or all-Italian games, adding that UEFA did not want United in the final.

The allegations, which were also reported on United’s official website, were dismissed by a UEFA spokesman as ‘‘silly’’.

Like Real, AC Milan will be expected to stake their claim to a place in the semi-finals in Amsterdam, despite a disappointing 1-0 Serie A defeat by Parma on Saturday.

Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko is a doubt after being substituted in that game with a calf injury, but Milan can count on Filippo Inzaghi, supported by Rivaldo, to provide an attacking threat.

Shrugging off the weekend setback, coach Carlo Ancelotti told the club’s website: ‘‘We’ve got to keep pushing forward — we mustn’t stop believing in ourselves.

‘‘The game against Ajax is an ideal chance for us to make amends.’’

Milan’s Serie A rivals Juventus have bigger injury worries ahead of their game at the Stadio Delle Alpi against Barcelona.

France striker David Trezeguet has been ruled out after falling awkwardly on his shoulder during Saturday’s 2-0 derby win over Torino, in which attacking midfielder Pavel Nedved picked up a thigh injury.

The Czech playmaker may yet recover in time to take on a Catalan side who have shrugged off poor domestic form to sparkle in European competition all season.

Barca are ninth in the table after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Villarreal — their 10th in 28 league games — yet they have won 11 and drawn one of their 12 group phase matches in Europe this season.

Inter and Valencia also had disappointing weekends before their game at San Siro.

Inter squandered a two-goal lead with seven minutes left to play in a 3-3 draw at home to AS Roma.

It was a bodyblow to their title hopes, leaving them five points adrift of leaders Juventus.

Valencia fared even worse, losing 0-2 to Real Betis.

However, they are bound to raise their game on Wednesday when the Spaniards come up against the familiar figure of inter boss Hector Cuper, the man who guided Valencia to Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001. (Reuters)