AC Milan v Manchester United:SEVEN YEARS to the day since he emerged from Manchester United's dressingroom bearing a scar on his forehead accidentally inflicted by a boot launched by an infuriated Alex Ferguson, David Beckham sat next to his current manager to discuss tonight's Champions League rendezvous with his old mentor at San Siro, his new home.
It would certainly be difficult to imagine a similar incident between Beckham and Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo.
The suave Brazilian, a World Cup winner in 1994, has diplomatic skills to rival Beckham’s own and, at 40, is only six years older than the Englishman, which makes their bond practically fraternal rather than the father-and-son relationship developed by Ferguson with the members of his golden generation.
It was at the request of Leonardo, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer, that Beckham attended yesterday’s press conference at Milanello, the club’s training centre halfway between the city and the Italian lakes.
“I asked him to come because he is someone who represents the club,” Leonardo said. “His experience and charisma are why he is here. In his career he did everything in football, not only on the field. He’s a complete personality and that is why he’s very important for us.”
Now in his second half-season with Milan, Beckham returned in January as one of the family. Leonardo appreciates his willingness to accept a place on the bench, even while needing time on the pitch in order to convince Fabio Capello to take him to South Africa in the summer.
If he starts tonight it will probably be on the right of the midfield trio, behind Alexandre Pato, the 21-year-old Brazilian forward, although there remains a chance that Gennaro Gattuso, who started in Friday night’s 3-2 victory over Udinese, may keep his place in a more defence-minded alignment, with Beckham remaining among the substitutes.
“I will be part of this game at some point whether I start or not,” Beckham said. “Of course it’s an emotional time for me because I’ve never played against Manchester United in the seven years since I left, and as a United fan this will be the first time that I’ve wanted them to lose. And we know we have to play one of our best games to beat them.”
There was, he said, no residue of bitterness between Ferguson and himself. “No matter what has been said in the past, whether good or bad, I only remember the good times,” he said. “Sir Alex was the man who gave me my chance to play for the club I’d always dreamed of playing for. There’s definitely no score to settle. He’s an incredible man. He always was and always will be a father figure to me.”
Asked about the advanced ages of several Milan players, including himself, he stressed the value of experience. “We know United have got young players who can run, but we have also got great players who can run and have experience. We have some of the best players in the world in our team, whether they’re 21 or 34. We have a great regime at this club of working hard in training and that’s not changed since the last time I was here.”
His commitment was noted yesterday by his old friend and United team-mate Ryan Giggs. “We’re different in the sense that he’s been in the limelight while I prefer to keep myself to myself,” Giggs said, “but he has always been dedicated and that’s the same now.
“He has always loved football. He’s naturally fit and a natural athlete, so I’m not surprised that he’s still going. In fact I reckon he’ll keep going for another three or four years.”
Beckham himself stressed that he had not joined Milan simply to secure his England place. “I came here because I wanted to be part of this club and the whole history. Everyone knows one of the reasons is to try to be part of the World Cup, but I’ve come with the knowledge that I might not start every game, and I don’t expect to.”
Since his return he has made seven league appearances, two off the bench. Three weeks ago, however, Milan lost their biggest match of the season so far, the derby against Jose Mourinho’s league-leading Internazionale.
“It was a big loss for us because at that moment in time we were playing great football,” Beckham said. Nevertheless the correspondent of the Gazzetta dello Sport grumbled that the Englishman had resembled “a figure from a wax museum”.
Were he to come back to life and manage his first Milan goal of the season against United, he would keep his emotions in check.
“I’d be pleased to score,” he said, “and it would be amazing, but because of my respect for United and the fans I wouldn’t celebrate. But I wouldn’t want the Milan fans to think I’m not excited to be scoring.”
A reminder that David Beckham may divide opinion, but he did not get where he is today by making enemies.
