He said: “I prefer Totti to (Manchester United’s) Cristiano Ronaldo because I know Totti very well.
“I know everything about him. He has great quality and little defects.
“Ronaldo probably has the same quality but I don’t know him.”
He added: “I know this game means a lot to Totti because this is the city where he was born, this is his all-time club.
“I think his focus will be on helping this team go far in this competition rather than on personal recognition.
“It seems strange that Ferguson is unaware of Totti’s potential.”