Beckham unfazed by return to United

Unusually, United's home fans will likely warmly embrace an opposition player.

The 34-year-old Beckham hasn't played a club match at Old Trafford since his acrimonious departure in 2003 and United midfielder Paul Scholes believes the home fans will be pleased to see him again.

“United fans still love him for what he did for this club and he will get a fantastic ovation,” said Scholes, who made the United first-team alongside Beckham in the 1990s. “He will need to be watched though. If you give him time and room on the ball there is no doubt he will pick players out. From free kicks as well, his delivery is as great as ever.”

With such encouraging words, it's little wonder that Beckham isn't apprehensive about returning to the club that helped him win six Premier League titles and a Champions League.

“I'm not nervous, I'm happy because for the first time after seven years I will return to Manchester and go on the pitch,” Beckham said. “If I play on Wednesday, I won't be frightened, but I will be excited in any case because I played in that stadium for many years.”

United manager Alex Ferguson doesn't expect Beckham to start and believes his only real threat comes from his ability to deliver an accurate ball.

“David's strength has always been his crosses and if he plays tomorrow that will be a threat against us, and his set-piece play,” Ferguson said.

Beckham's hopes of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals were helped by Clarence Seedorf reducing the first-leg deficit with a late goal two weeks ago.

Milan had led through Ronaldinho's early goal, but Scholes leveled before Wayne Rooney added two more to clinch United's first win at the San Siro.

“That was a landmark victory for us and it was a psychological thing winning there,” Ferguson said. “European football is one of a changing nature every year and the challenge to me seems to get different because it's a varied tournament in terms of club form. The Italians have not been as good as the Spaniards or English teams, but there is a sense they are better now.”

United will have Rooney — the top scorer this season with 28 goals — back in the team after recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of the league win over Wolverhampton on Saturday.

“Rooney has become a fixed point of reference in the United team,” Leonardo said. “It is incredible to see the way he has developed, grown and matured as a player. Maybe it has had something to do with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving because it meant he needed to step up.”

Milan could also welcome back top-scorer, Alexandre Pato, as well as Seedorf back in the team after they missed the 0-0 draw at AS Roma on Saturday.

“We are very focused — the first leg has given us a good opportunity to come here and achieve something,” Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini said. “But we know it will be a huge battle and a huge achievement if we pull it off.”

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