Source: Daily_Mail
Milan old boys look just like dummies ahead of clash against United
Like something from a waxworks museum. That was how one Italian newspaper described David Beckham following AC Milan's defeat by 10-man Inter in their city derby 22 days ago.[LNB]It was harsh on Beckham, mainly because he did not deserve to be singled out. The waxworks comment could have applied to any of Milan's ageing team.[LNB] Under-fire: David Beckham and team-mate Ronaldinho were criticised in the Italian press[LNB]The lack of pace, of fluid movement, has become one of the common criticisms of this Milan side and was a major factor in Inter being able to play for an hour with 10 men and still win comfortably. Milan could not stretch their opponents.[LNB]Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was present at the San Siro that night and while he will not have departed complacent, he will not have left trembling either.[LNB]Milan were missing two significant individuals then. Alessandro Nesta and Pato were injured. The vastly experienced Nesta, 34 next month, will be back in central defence for tomorrow night's Champions League clash against United in Italy. But Pato's return as a substitute in Friday night's 3-2 victory over Udinese must place a question mark over his match fitness.[LNB]WHEN THEY PLAYFIRST LEGSTuesdayAC Milan v Manchester UnitedWednesdayPorto v ArsenalFebruary 24Inter Milan v ChelseaSECOND LEGSMarch 9Arsenal v PortoMarch 10Manchester United v AC MilanMarch 16Chelsea v Inter Milan [LNB]Again Ferguson was present to assess Milan. It was the first time in four matches since the Inter derby that AC Milan had won. Udinese are 15th in Serie A. Pato, 20, might possess the vigour to overcome his lack of match practice for such an occasion as the visit of United, and his pace would be welcome in Leonardo's attack and in the dressing room.[LNB]Ferguson said over the weekend that Milan were 'desperate' to have Pato ready.[LNB]But even if the young Brazilian does start, there may still be six of his colleagues over 30. Of United's most likely 10 outfield starters, only Rio Ferdinand is over 30.[LNB]It is 12 months since club legend Marco van Basten described Milan as 'too old' and there has not been an infusion of youth.[LNB]Last February Milan were losing to Werder Bremen in the third round of the UEFA Cup and most of the personnel from those two legs will be in Leonardo's squad forTuesday night. Kaka, now at Real Madrid, played in neither game against Bremen.[LNB]Giuseppe Favalli played in both legs. He was the man who stood in for Nesta against Inter and had held his 38th birthday party a fortnight earlier. Favalli could play at left-back tomorrow night, but it would be a brave-going-on-reckless selection if United field Nani, 23, or Antonio Valencia, 25, on the right.[LNB]However, Leonardo's options are limited. Coming on at half-time against Inter, forexample, to inject some creativity into the performance was Clarence Seedorf, who is approaching his 34th birthday. Filippo Inzaghi, 36, was another on the bench.[LNB]Beckham will soon be 35, while Gennaro Gattuso is 32, the same age as captain Massimo Ambrosini.[LNB] Age concern: Andrea Pirlo (left), at 30, is one of the younger member's of AC Milan's midfield[LNB]Andrea Pirlo is arguably Milan's most telling midfielder and at 30, he is not old. But it is striking that United's midfield - in the absence of the injured Ryan Giggs and with Paul Scholes unlikely to start - will all be younger.[LNB]Darren Fletcher is 26 and Michael Carrick and Ji-sung Park are both 28. United's engine is younger. That does not mean it is better, of course, and the example of Paolo Maldini's enduring effectiveness cannot be forgotten.[LNB]The famed Milan Lab with its 'ideal combination of science, technology, IT, cybernetics and psychology,' and its glass 'Mind Room' at the club's Milanello training base, ispresumably considered to extend careers.[LNB]If it can prompt a couple of mercurial displays from Ronaldinho, then these games will be harder than some think for United.[LNB]Ronaldinho, 30 next month, is reported to have received a stirring telephone call from club owner and Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi last week.[LNB]On paper he and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - scorer of two goals on Friday but peripheral in the season as a whole - should be able to spur the Italians on to one last hurrah.[LNB]But there is a feeling that many of these AC Milan players have their best days behind them. The same cannot be said about Wayne Rooney. The last thing anyone would call him just now is a waxwork.[LNB] Cristiano Ronaldo - I miss United and maybe I could return to Old TraffordForget David Beckham, it's the European Cup we are worried aboutDavid Beckham not certain to line up against UnitedDavid Beckham will be out for revenge against Manchester United, warns Teddy SheringhamMANCHESTER UNITED FC
