Manchester United v AC Milan - Milan line-up a puzzle for Sir Alex Ferguson
March 10, 2010 |13:51 | News By : Team X
Broken bridges have been rebuilt by Ferguson and Beckham since their fractured relationship paved the way for the midfielder's £25 million transfer from United to Real Madrid in 2003, but Ferguson has yet to take the step of lavishing the kind of nostalgic praise on Beckham that he has reserved for his successor in the No 7 shirt – Cristiano Ronaldo – since the Portuguese winger's defection to Madrid last summer.

Ferguson might have rolled an eye and cast doubt publicly on Milan's decision to deploy Beckham as a central midfielder following United's 3-2 first-leg victory in the San Siro last month, but the Scot retains a healthy respect for the former England captain's continuing ability to hurt opponents with his peerless right boot. Wayne Rooney, rather than Beckham, is the man Ferguson expects to dominate the headlines in Wednesday's last 16, second-leg tie in Manchester.
But, like the boxer who is wary of the old slugger with the ferocious uppercut, Ferguson admits that Beckham retains the ability to deliver a knockout blow for Milan with the one component of his game that remains as potent now as it always has been.


Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told centre-back Rio Ferdinand that he will have to play less games for the sake of his career, according to the Daily Mail. England captain Ferdinand is injured again with his troublesome back injury and there is little indication of when he will be fit, although Ferguson hopes it will be only a short spell out.
Almost embarrassed himself with sloppy handling from looped deflection in first half. Distribution sub-par and error-strewn. Gary Neville - 6 - Willing runner but Valencia didn't need to use him. Typically tigerish when asked to defend.
Both Cole and Chelsea have made the right noises in recent times - saying they do not want to part company. However, it has been reported that negotiations have stalled over the midfielder's salary demands of £120,000 a week.














