Focused Beckham braced for ‘emotional’ night
“It is going to be an emotional game, but as a Manchester United fan, it’s the first time I am going to want United to lose,” he said.
“As an AC Milan player I want to beat Manchester United and to say that as a Man U fan is quite difficult.
“As much as it is emotional for me personally, it is important that we win the game. I am a Milan player and I want us to play well in the game and progress to the next stage.”
Beckham rejected the suggestion that he will be particularly motivated to get one over Alex Ferguson tonight.
Beckham left Old Trafford under something of a cloud in 2003, but insists he only has good memories of his time with the Red Devils.
“Alex will always be a father figure to me,” he said. “No matter what has been said in the past, whether good or bad, I only remember the good times.”
Beckham’s place in the Milan team tonight is not guaranteed and his presence at the pre-match press conference does not necessarily suggest that Milan coach Leonardo is ready to change the team he has used for the last two league games in which Beckham has sat on the bench.
“His appearance here today is important for us and I had asked him personally to come,” explained Leonardo.
“He is somebody who represents this club and he is here because of his experience and charisma. He’s a complete personality and he proves every day why he’s so important for us.”
Alexandre Pato is set to return to the Milan attack while Klaas Jan Huntelaar should replace the injured Marco Borriello with Ronaldinho completing the three-man attack.
Central defender Thiago Silva appears to have recovered from a groin strain he picked up early in last Friday’s Serie A game against Udinese and he should partner Alessandro Nesta at the heart of the defence.
Beckham, should he start, could replace Gennaro Gattuso in the midfield alongside Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo.
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