Beckham will not celebrate scoring against Man Utd
David Beckham is on loan at AC Milan from LA Galaxy
English Premier League News – BBC Sport : David Beckham will not celebrate if he scores for AC Milan against Manchester United in the Champions League.
He will face his former club for the first time since leaving in 2003 when AC Milan host United on 16 February.
Beckham told Inside United magazine: “I do not think I would celebrate. I respect the supporters and the club.
“To me they are the best fans in the world and the support they gave me week in, week out was incredible. Nothing will ever better that.”
The midfielder, who is on loan at Milan from LA Galaxy, still remembers and appreciates the support given to him by United fans after he was sent off while playing for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
“The relationship I have with the fans is still important to me,” he said. “I went through some difficult times but they never stopped supporting me.
“I would not have got through everything without them.”
Beckham played 394 times for United over eight seasons, helping the club win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions league.
“I always wish I was part of Manchester United, it is just in me. Even though I am not there any more, I am still a huge fan,” he said.
“Coming to terms with not being a United player was certainly the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.
“When you are a Manchester United player and a Manchester United fan you never want to play for any other club.
“I always want them to do well and be successful because the club still means so much to me. I’ve still got season tickets and I will always keep them because I love to watch every game where possible.
“I would love to take my sons one day. United will always be such a special place to me, so we will just have to see what the future holds.”
Beckham will go back to Old Trafford for the first time as a player when Milan travel to Manchester for the second leg of their Champions League clash on 10 March.
“When I was at Real Madrid it just never felt right to come back to Old Trafford. The thought of playing against United always gave me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much,” he said.
“But when the draw was made this time it felt as though it was the right time to go back. I felt really emotional.
“It will also be extremely emotional for myself and my family on the night. I met so many amazing people during my time there, on and off the pitch, that I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.”
Source: English Premier League News, BBC Sport.
Wayne Rooney as good as Ronaldinho says David Beckham
Beckham (left) and Rooney (right) are England team-mates
English Premier League News – BBC Sport : AC Milan midfielder David Beckham believes Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is now as good as two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho.
Beckham and team-mate Ronaldinho will face Rooney when United travel to Milan for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg match.
Asked if England team-mate Rooney was comparable to the Brazilian, Beckham said: “Without a doubt.
“I’ve always said Wayne is one of the best goalscorers in football.”
Rooney has scored 23 goals in 32 appearances for United this season as the club seek to retain their Premier League crown as well as progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The 24-year-old has shouldered much of the goalscoring responsibility following world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m departure to Real Madrid in the summer.
And Beckham insists Rooney is on a par with Ronaldinho, who twice won the Spanish league with Barcelona and the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
“He is at a great club like Manchester United and he’s doing what he does best – scoring goals,” said the 34-year-old, who is on loan at Milan from LA Galaxy.
The match at the San Siro represents an emotional occasion for Beckham, who joined United as a youngster and won six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League before leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.
Robert Heenan
“It’s one of the biggest games for me personally. But the most important thing is the team going through and beating United which I hope we do,” explained Beckham.
“United are on fire, they’re playing well. Wayne is scoring goals like he can. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Like United, Milan lost a prized asset – Kaka – to Real Madrid in the summer, as well as coming to terms with the retirement of legendary defender Paolo Maldini.
Their performances this season have been inconsistent – Friday’s victory 3-2 win over Udinese ended a run of four straight defeats – but Beckham feels the Rossoneri can still match favourites United.
“Obviously there are a couple of players not here but the team is just the same, they’ve got this great team spirit within the squad and that’s definitely not changed,” added Beckham.