Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Beware of Milan old boys
United could come unstuck in the last 16 of the Champions League if they dismiss AC Milan as a bunch of ageing veteran campaigners. The Italian side have 15 players over 30 in their Euro squad and are said to be showing their age in Serie A. But Sir Alex Ferguson prefers to call it experience and warns the Reds that they will have to be wary of the know-how packed into Leonardo's squad. The Reds will bring in one of their own old hands with the return of Rio Ferdinand. But Fergie warned: "AC Milan have experience of big games and we have to be cautious how we approach the game. "Milan have good footballers and five or six of them have won the Champions League twice. Clarence Seedorf has won it four times with three different clubs and you can't buy that experience. "David Beckham has experience, 100 odd caps for England and has played for United, Milan and Real Madrid. It's the same experience as the likes of Nesta, Inzaghi and Seedorf. They all have that experience that Milan bring to the table. "That is to their advantage and you have to be aware of it. But we have some experience too, though, so it should be a good game." For the last decade the Champions League has been dominated by English and Spanish clubs. In the 90s it was the Italian League that could claim to be the super-power on the European stage. But Fergie believes the Serie is mounting a fightback. "English teams have done well and got to a lot of semi- finals and finals in recent years," he said. "Milan also had their dominant era with the players like Baresi and Maldini. And there is an improvement in the Italian sides again now." Back in 2007 Milan proved too strong for United in the two-legged semi-final. Though the Reds took a 3-2 home leg advantage to Italy, Milan overwhelmed them in the San Siro and won 3-0 to go through 5-3 on aggregate. But the Reds boss says his side are better equipped tonight. "Firstly, there is a maturity about the squad. We feel it has happened over the last two years, away from home," he added. "There's a distinct change from when we were here last, in the physical aspect in particular. In the last game, the physical part was, without question, the real reason for our performance. "Not playing last weekend means we are fresh this time and that can make a difference."
