Beckham Set For Old Trafford Return

posted on 19/12/09

David Beckham will be in the AC Milan squad that will face Manchester United in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League next February and March. The game will mark the return of European action after a reasonably comfortable passing through the group stages for us.

It isn’t the easiest of ties for us, but I fancy us to win the tie over the two legs. Although we have to be careful, after all, Milan went to Madrid and beat Real in the group stages.

Speaking to manutd.com, Patrice Evra spoke on the draw,

It’s not an easy draw because Milan have a lot of experience in the competition. We just need to remember what happened against them in 2007 and make sure we use that experience to win the tie.

No matter what anyone says, this game will revolve around one man, David Beckham. Personally, I’m delighted at the prospect of seeing him back at Old Trafford as he never returned while at Real Madrid. Evra continued on the subject,

I will say ‘welcome home’ to him but I will make sure he doesn’t have an easy game!

As winners of Group A, we will have the advantage of being away from home first with the chance of grabbing an away goal or two. That game taking place on 16/02/2010. The return leg which will be the real mouth-watering game one would imagine will be played on the 10/03/2010.

Sir Alex Ferguson will probably be pleased that the ‘Beckham circus’ will present during the games as it will of course relieve some pressure from the team.

United have clashed with Milan on eight occasions and its the Serie A outfit with the upper hand having won five of the eight, with United claiming only three. The most recent ties involved two Hernan Crespo goals to knock United out of the competition in 2005. Then a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford in 2007 with a 90th minute Wayne Rooney winner but to be taught a footballing lesson in the monsoon conditions in the San Siro the next month, loosing 3-0.

The rest of the draw was rather dull to be perfectly honest with only three reasonable interesting ties to look forward to. Our game with Milan, Chelsea and the return of Jose Mourinho with Inter and the Real Madrid tie with Lyon involving the Karim Benzema return. Quite a few returns to look out for in the new year then!

The draw in full;

Stuttgart v Barcelona, Olympiakos v Bordeaux, Inter Milan v Chelsea, Bayern Munich v Fiorentina, CSKA Moscow v Sevilla, Lyon v Real Madrid, Porto v Arsenal, AC Milan v Manchester United

First legs to be played over the 16th & 17th of February 2010
Second legs to be played over the 9th & 10& of March 2010

Express your views and opinions on the draw below.

Written by Keano