• Champions League

No nerves for Beckham ahead of United clash

David Beckham insists he will have no nerves when his AC Milan side take on Manchester United at Old Trafford for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

It will be the first time Beckham has returned to United after leaving the club seven years ago, but though he insists he is looking forward to his emotional reunion, he is not daunted by the task.

"I'm not nervous,'' he said. ''Coming back to Manchester as a Milan player is exciting. It will be a tough game for us but nothing is impossible.

Beckham was mobbed as he arrived at Manchester Airport with his team-mates on Tuesday and is expected to be given a warm reception by United's fans. However, he says he will be focused on helping the Rossoneri overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg.

"I will always be a Manchester fan and this is perhaps the first time in my life that I want them to lose," he told the AC Milan website. "I'll meet up with many friends and all the people who supported me for many years on the night.

"I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player. But I also know what it means for opponents to play there. It is always difficult to win, especially 2-0.

"We know we'll have to go for it, play good passes and create many moves, we have many players who can score. We are aware of the fact that it will be a very difficult match, but nothing's impossible. Milan have a lot of experience in Europe, they're one of the best clubs in the world."

Beckham also said he expects Wayne Rooney to play despite the striker missing United's win over Wolves on Saturday and he paid tribute to his ex-manager Sir Alex Ferguson, playing down reports that they fell out when he left the club.

"I'm sure Rooney will play," he added. "I think he's had some problems in the last few days but he had the whole weekend to recover. He's a fine player and he'll want to participate in the match. Alex Ferguson will certainly use the best possible formation.

"Alex Ferguson gives a lot of advice to players and he's one of the best football coaches. He protected his players but he made me understand when I was making a mistake."

Ferguson told a press conference on Tuesday that he expects Beckham to start on the bench for Milan. "I am finding it difficult to pick their team but I don't know whether Beckham will start,'' Ferguson said. "I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game.

"But he will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic. That is the threat. There are a lot of threats in their team of course, but we are well aware of David's.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.