EXCLUSIVE: Fergie backs Beckham to make the World Cup finals

10 January 2010 01:03
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is certain that hisformer star David Beckham will be involved in the World Cup this summerat the age of 35.[LNB]But Ferguson is determined that, whatever form and match fitness hisformer protege will need to achieve to impress Capello enough, he willnot get it playing for AC Milan in the later stages of the ChampionsLeague.[LNB] A point to make: David Beckham must impress Fabio Capello to win a place at the World Cup[LNB]Ferguson will lay down the welcome mat on March 10 when Beckham, in his second spell on loan with Milan, returns to Old Trafford for the second leg of their quarter-final for the first time at club level since he left nearly seven years ago. But that is as far as it goes. 'David is sure of a tremendous response from United fans,' said Ferguson.[LNB]'They all recognise his contribution at the club and what he has done since, especially with England. I have followed his career, as I do with any player who leaves United. It is no surprise to me that he is still playing at the highest level even when, at one time, that looked unlikely during his final months at Real Madrid. Going to play in America might not have been the best thing but it hasn't held him back. He's done really well.'[LNB]On the ball: Alex Ferguson says David Beckham will go to World Cup[LNB]Beckham made a good start to his loan spell with Milan last Wednesday in front of Capello, playing 75 minutes in the 5-2 defeat of Genoa and faces title rivals Juventus today.[LNB]He still regrets leaving United and said: 'I would love to have stayed at United for my whole career and never gone anywhere else but it was just not meant to be.[LNB]'United are so special to me and I have never been back as a player, so to go back seven years after as a Milan player is perfect. It is an experience I want to cherish. It is going to be a special and emotional night.[LNB]'I'm sure they will all try to kick me if they can because we were together for so many years and we were so successful together.' PATRICK COLLINS: Is it time for Ferguson to ride into the sunset?David Beckham sets sights on winning Serie A title with AC MilanHow does David Beckham bend it and what shape is our universe? Ten of the greatest scientific conundrumsMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail