Source: Telegraph
David Beckham backs Manchester United to win Champions League
It was not the way Beckham hoped his first appearance as an opposition player against Manchester United would end up. [LNB]However, with his own interest at an end, the former England skipper wants United to reclaim a trophy he helped them win in 1999. [LNB] Related ArticlesMan Utd 4 AC Milan 0; 7-2 aggFerguson challenges Rooney to score 42 goalsDavid Beckham departs in green and gold scarfDebate: was Cristiano Ronaldo wrong to leave United?Manchester United v AC Milan: as it happenedChampions League action"When you get knocked out of a competition you kind of hope that the team that knocks you out goes all the way," he said. [LNB]"I really hope they go all the way." [LNB]With Real Madrid out of the Champions League, United have an excellent chance of reaching their third successive final. [LNB]And Beckham will have a scarf to wear as well after wrapping himself in green and gold as he made his way off the field. [LNB]The colours of Newton Heath have become the focal point of a growing anti-Glazer campaign, aimed at ousting United's owners. [LNB]Just by wearing the scarf, Beckham has ensured massive publicity for the green and gold campaign, although he denied it was his own attempt to register a protest. [LNB]"I'm a Man United fan. I saw the scarf there. I put it round my neck, it's the old colours of Man United, that's all I knew," he said. [LNB]"To be honest it's (the protest) not my business. I'm a Manchester United fan. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do. It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a Man United fan and I support the team. I will always support them." [LNB]Beckham admitted he was aware of the gathering protests against United's owners, adding: "Obviously you can hear it week in and week out. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out." [LNB]Although Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher wrapped up victory, Beckham's England team-mate Wayne Rooney did the damage last night. [LNB]Rooney scored at the start of both halves to kill off the tie, which United won 7-2 on aggregate, to take his tally for the season to 30, just 12 short of the amazing number Cristiano Ronaldo recorded two seasons ago. [LNB]"His performance was a continuation of his form in the last few months - just sensational and unbelievable," said Sir Alex Ferguson. [LNB]United would have expected to be lined up against Ronaldo in the quarter-final draw next Friday. [LNB]Instead, Real were dumped out of the competition by Lyon, who joined Arsenal, United and Bayern Munich as the quartet who are definitely through to the last eight. [LNB]"I was surprised at Real Madrid's result," said Ferguson. [LNB]"But European football is very tough now. In the last few years English clubs have done very well and I think they will be there again. [LNB]"It doesn't matter who we play in the quarters. We are there and hopefully we take advantage." [LNB]
