Just short of five years after helping Manchester United win the European Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for the first time as Real Madrid were on Thursday paired with Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Ronaldo appeared in two finals with United, the win on penalties over Chelsea in 2008, when he missed from the spot in Moscow having earlier scored with a header, and the 2009 meeting with Barcelona in Rome, where they lost 2-0.

The visit of Real also sees the return of José Mourinho to the ground where he made his name in this country in 2004, creating an enduring image when racing down the touchline in his overcoat to celebrate Porto's last-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw which won the last-16 tie 3–2 on aggregate.

The opening leg will be played at the Bernabéu on 13 February before the return on 5 March, and Ferguson said: "It's the tie of the round. It's a great opportunity for our fans to see Cristiano again and also for me to meet up with José again – I'll need to order some good wine."

Ronaldo departed United in an £80m world-record transfer in 2009 having won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups, as well as the Ballon D'or and world player of the year awards.