• Madrid opt to train at City's ground rather than Old Trafford • José Mourinho perhaps keen to prevent session being spied on

Real Madrid have taken the unusual step of confirming they will hold their training session ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against Manchester United at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

It is part of the tournament regulations that competing teams must make part of their pre-match session open to the media. Almost always, that takes place at either the ground where the game is being played, or on home soil prior to departure, as has been the case with both United and City this season.

On Thursday it was confirmed that Madrid would remain in Spain for their final preparations. However, those plans have now been altered. But instead of using Old Trafford as their training venue, their coach, José Mourinho, has chosen the Etihad Stadium.

No explanation has been offered for why Madrid are choosing to train at City, though Mourinho, like Ferguson, is wary of his training sessions being spied on, either by the media or those with connections to his opponents. And it seems the former Chelsea manager has decided it is safer to train at City as they look to claim a quarter-final place following the 1-1 first-leg draw in Spain last month.

Madrid warmed up with a brilliant 3-1 win against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday and face the Catalans once more, this time on home soil, in La Liga on Saturday.