Weve still got the legs for it, insists AC Milan superstar David Beckham

Published: 16 Feb 2010 - 12:01:05

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Weve still got the legs for it, insists AC Milan superstar David Beckham

Extending a hand: David Beckham says he has no bitterness towards Sir Alex Ferguson Looking down thelikely home teamfor tonight's ChampionsLeague meetingat the San Siro,it would be easy to mistakethe AC Milan startingXI for a clutch of nominationsfor the greatItalian club's Hall ofFame. Such is the age of the spine ofthe Milan team that ManchesterUnited will perhaps feelquietly optimistic that they canedge the Italians out on theback of brawn alone over thenext three weeks. Nevertheless, Milan's mostfamous player 34-year-oldDavid Beckham was adamantlast night that his current club'sexperience will prove invaluableas one of Serie A's leading lightsseeks to convince the world thatthe Italian league is not thehome for the aged that it cansometimes appear. Beckham, who will line upagainst United for the first timesince leaving Old Trafford in thesummer of 2003, said: 'There isexperience that comes with ageand we all know that Unitedhave young players but we havegreat players in this team. Kick back!Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham will come face to face in the Champions League tonight, seven years after the Manchester United manager kicked a boot into the face of England's most famous footballer. Ferguson's United meet Beckham's AC Milan at the San Siro in the first leg of the last-16 tie, their first clash since the midfielder left Old Trafford in 2003. Ferguson cut Beckham's face after lashing out at a boot following an FA Cup loss to Arsenal on February 15, 2003. But last night Beckham paid a touchingtribute to his former boss, describing him as a 'father figure' and added: 'If I do score it would be amazing but out of respect for Manchester United and for the fans, I wouldn't celebrate.' Ferguson admitted he is wary of Milan'sexperience but believes he has a match-winner in Wayne Rooney, saying: 'He has hit the high point of his career in the last few months.' 'United are one of the biggestclubs in the world and theirplayers are always ready to playin these big games. But we'll beready for tomorrow.' The former England captain isnot certain to be in tonight'sline-up but, at the very least, hewill be named as a substitute. Privately, his former managerSir Alex Ferguson may be alittle surprised to still seeBeckham operating at top level,but if he is he didn't say so. Instead, the United boss onlyunderlined what Beckham hadsaid, acknowledging that Milan'sadvantage was their experienceand that 'you can't buy that'. 'We have great experience andsome of the best players in theworld in this team. Whether youare 21 or 34, like myself, itdoesn't really matter. While Ferguson joked that itonly took the English press contingent'three seconds' to askabout Beckham yesterday, hesought to play the matter down. 'He left us seven years ago,' hestated, rather matter-of-factly.Beckham, on the other hand, was a little more emotional, andreiterated: 'I always expected tobe at United my whole career. 'There's a great history thatcomes with both of these clubsand to be part of this tie in anyway is very special. Centre of attention: Beckham 'There is no score to be settled.Sir Alex Ferguson, he hasbeen like a father figure to me.He always has been and alwayswill be, no matter what peoplehave said in the past about ourrelationship. 'We had good timesand bad times but for me theonly times I remember are thegood times. Sir Alex Ferguson is a managerrespected all through footballand around the world. 'Hewas the man who gave me thechance to play for the club Ialways dreamed of playing for. My time to leave United was in2003 but I definitely don't holdanything against the manager. He really is an incredible man.' Father figure: Ferguson and Beckham While Beckham sweats on hisplace, United are expected torecall another England captain,Rio Ferdinand, to the centre ofdefence.Ferdinand is a welcomereturnee for Ferguson, even iffellow defender Nemanja Vidicis struggling to overcome themental barriers created by a calfinjury. Ferguson clearly feels theSerb is fit and said: 'It's a difficultone because he thinks hefeels he needs a lot of training. 'He has been training for thelast few days but doesn't feel heis ready to take part in games.That's something we just feelwe have to be patient with.' 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