Source: Daily_Mail
Andy Townsend looks at Manchester United and AC Milan's goal machines
The stage is set for one of the most eagerly anticipated Champions League clashes in recent years.[LNB]Manchester United versus AC Milan would set the pulses racing at the best of times - but add to that the David Beckham factor and you've got yourself a mouthwatering prospect.[LNB]Both side's have top class match winners who can turn a game in an instant.[LNB]And Sportsmail's Andy Townsend looks at two of the players who could hold the key to victory at the San Siro; Manchester United's in-form striker Wayne Rooney and Brazilian sensation Pato.[LNB] Deadly duo: Pato and Rooney[LNB] WAYNE ROONEY[LNB] What a stage for a player who is in the form of his life! [LNB]Wayne Rooney seems to have grown up so much in the last few months.Part of that will have come from knowing the extra responsibility he now has due to Cristiano Ronaldo moving on knowing that he had to become more accountable and be the focal point of his team.[LNB]Part of that will be about becoming a dad and simply growing up.Whatever the reason, he has found an icy streak to his game a cool, calculated element that has transformed him.[LNB]I'm sure Sir Alex will have spoken to him about avoiding silly yellow cards, but there's a point with every player when the penny drops and I think that's what has happened with Wayne. [LNB]We all wondered whether it would suit him If he wasn't allowed to express himself and play in a bit of a fury, but we're seeing at the moment that, if anything, the extra control has improved his game. [LNB]The goal against Arsenal the other week was the perfect mix of desire and drive he out-sprinted Nani to get on the end of the winger's pass andthen delivered an ice-cold finish. [LNB] Hot streak: Rooney is in the form of his life[LNB] [LNB] PATOHis name means 'TheDuck' in Portuguesebut he's more like aswan gliding aroundthe field with fabulouspace and tight control. [LNB]Pato might be only 20but already he remindsme of another greatMilan striker in hisprime because he's a lotlike Andriy Shevchenko inthe way he delivers such aclinical finish. [LNB]He's had a couple of monthswith a thigh injury that hasslowed his progress, but Patowill certainly be crucial toMilan's planning. [LNB]They won't want to findthemselves chasing this tie atany time and will be lookingto the young Brazilian toopen the scoring.[LNB]Is he up to it? Well, for a kidwho cost £15million when hewas only 18, he seems to haveglided through all thepressure so far. [LNB]He's quick over 10 or 15 yards,he will take a touch in atight area and staycomposed and he can finishwith both feet.[LNB]Milan are also the perfectteam for him, since they haveso much experience on thepitch. The fact thatRonaldinho has come out ofthe malaise which blightedhis career also gives Patomore freedom.[LNB] Classy: AC Milan striker Pato[LNB] Manchester United lynchpin must prove he can dish out lesson to AC Milan playmaker Andrea PirloThe Becks factor! The less you see of David Beckham the better he gets...Real Madrid target Nemanja Vidic is going nowhere, claims Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson David Beckham won't let emotion stand in the way of booting Manchester United out of the Champions League Huntelaar out to impress Man United as Fergie plots swoop for AC Milan striker [LNB][LNB]
