Football Talk : Champions League, Serie A

Football Talk - David Beckham looking forward to Manchester United reunion - 15/02/10

Editor — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:12:00 GMT

David Beckham has dismissed suggestions that he he has a score to settle with Sir Alex Ferguson when Milan meet Manchester United.

The two sides meet in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night, with the first leg taking place at the San Siro. It will be the first time Beckham has faced the club where he spent the first 10 years of his career.

When Beckham left Old Trafford, Ferguson was known to be unhappy with his celebrity lifestyle and there were reports of the United manager throwing a boot at the former England skipper during one heated row. However, as he awaits his first match against his old club, Beckham had nothing but praise for the veteran boss. He told a press conference:

"Manchester United are always going to be a strong team, no matter what, because Sir Alex Ferguson is a manager who always looks to improve the team. To be part of this tie is special. To be part of a Manchester United team that played in the Champions League for many years, and now to be part of an AC Milan team, the history goes beyond anything you can ever dream of as a football player.

"Sir Alex Ferguson was always a father figure to me. Always has been and always will be. No matter what people have said in the past about our relationship, whether we have had good times or bad times, I only remember the good times. He was the man that gave me the chance to play for a club that I'd always dreamed of playing for. We had so many successful times. For me, there are only good times and good memories from Manchester United.

"As an AC Milan player we want to win this tie. I want to beat Manchester United and to say that as a Manchester United fan is quite difficult. The most important thing is that we progress in the Champions League. There is definitely no score to be settled. It's all about the game and all about AC Milan.

"Clubs move forward, it was my time to leave Manchester United in 2003 and I moved on. I definitely don't hold anything against the manager, he really is an incredible man."

Beckham, who lifted the European Cup with United in 1999, knows he is not guaranteed a starting spot in Leonardo's first XI for the first leg, and accepts he may start the game on the bench.

"I always said when I came to the club that I never expect to start any game. I've started the first three or four games. Obviously last week I didn't play and then this week I came on so no I'm not frustrated at all."

Football Talk - Beckham eyes Manchester United reunion - 16/12/09

Editor — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:55:00 GMT

David Beckham is hoping Milan play Manchester United in the Champions League draw on Friday, enabling the midfielder to face his old side for the first time since leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.

The Los Angeles Galaxy veteran, who will move to the San Siro on loan for the remainder of the 2009-10 season when the transfer window reopens next month, told Gazzetta dello Sport that he would relish a return to Old Trafford.

"I would really like to face my former team in the next round,'' said Beckham. "Since I left (United) in 2003, I have not returned to play at Old Trafford. Seven years have gone by and I would like for that to happen. Me against Manchester, it would be beautiful, wouldn't it?''

But Beckham acknowledged that such a tie would be a difficult encounter for Milan. "It would be very difficult,'' Beckham added. "But it will be very exciting. I like big challenges and I would love to play that type of game. I would love to win the Champions League because it is a special competition, where the strongest teams compete.

"I am delighted to return to Italy. I can't wait to go back to Milan. I am counting the days and there is only two weeks to go. Above everything, I want to be a part of this fantastic group. It's not important which position I play in midfield, the important thing is how I play.''

Football Talk - Ibrahimovich hails Mourinho - 04/03/09

Editor — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:26:00 GMT

Inter will travel to England to face Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League tie in good heart, according to the club's leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic....(read more)