What Reception Will David Beckham get when he returns to Old Trafford with AC Milan in March.

David Beckham says it would be ‘beautiful’ to play against ‘Manchester’ in this year’s Champions League and is hoping to win the competition with AC Milan.

He couldn’t possibly mean that he wants to knock United out of Europe, could he.

“I would really like to face my former team in the next round,” said Beckham. “Since I left in 2003, I have not returned to play at Old Trafford. Seven years have gone by and I would like for that to happen. Me against Manchester, it would be beautiful, wouldn’t it?”

Given that United have reached the final for the past two seasons, he knows how much of a test it would be to play against us.

“It would be very difficult,” he continued. “But it will be very exciting. I like big challenges and I would love to play that type of game. I would love to win the Champions League because it is a special competition, where the strongest teams compete.”

According to a report in La Provence, Olympique de Marseille outcast Hatem Ben Arfa could be snapped up by Premier League giants Manchester United.

Ben Arfa has found pitch time very hard to come by with les Phoceens over the last year due to his inconsistent form. But Red Devils boss, Sir Alex Ferguson believes he can be the steadying hand to guide the former Olympique Lyonnais youth back on track.

Not considered a favourite of OM coach Didier Deschamps, there have been rumours for the last six months that the 22-year-old could leave the Stade Velodrome. Indeed, the Greek press appear convinced that the left-sided player could switch to Olympiacos this winter.

La Provence even stated that a meeting has taken place between Ben Arfa's representatives and the Red Devils, claims that the player's agent rejected in Saturday's L'Equipe.

"Regarding the future of Hatem, three people are involved. Hatem, Michael Ouazine and myself," explained Jean-Jacques Bertrand.

"For now, we have not established contact with any club. But do not rule out a move. Maybe OM have had contact with interested clubs."

Ferguson has long tracked the enfant terrible of the French game, echoing back to his surprising move for Girondins de Bordeaux youngster Gabriel Obertan.

Obertan seemed to stagnate in France, but his form has been rejuvenated since his move to Old Trafford. Should United swoop for Ben Arfa, their Scottish boss will hope for a similar success story.


TO ME HE IS A OTHER NANI!!!!!!

Ryan Giggs has claimed that he hasn’t “noticed much of a difference” since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United.
The winger moved to Real Madrid in the summer, with some pundits claiming that United’s indifferent form is down to the absence of Ronaldo.
“Cristiano is one of the best players in the world but I have to be honest and say I haven’t noticed much of a difference since he left,” Giggs said in The People.
“We have never been a one-man team and we still have more or less the same group of players, with a couple of additions.
“We all knew Cristiano wanted to play for Madrid and when he got the chance he took it.
“He wasn’t a Manc and we knew one day he would leave, but there are no hard feelings - why should there be?
“He is one of the best I have ever played with and a really nice lad, but we knew Madrid was where he wanted to be one day and he got his wish, so good luck to him.”

Tottenham Hotspur's secretary John Alexander will take up the same position at Manchester United when Ken Ramsden retires at the end of the season.

Alexander, a former player with Millwall, Reading and Northampton, has been secretary at Spurs since 2000 having previously held the role at Watford. He will become only United's fifth post-war secretary once Ramsden ends his three-year tenure in May.

Alexander said: "I am honoured to be offered the chance to be the secretary at the world's biggest football club. I have a series of very hard acts to follow but I am looking forward to working with [the manager] Sir Alex [Ferguson], [the chief executive] David Gill and the team."

Gill added: "John is the perfect candidate to succeed Ken. He is a real football man with a wealth of experience in the g

Real Madrid are monitoring the development of Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans, and could be set to make a January move for the Northern Ireland international.

The 21-year old has acted as an able deputy to the first-choice duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and is highly regarded by boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

English publication The People reports that Los Blancos coach Manuel Pellegrini is looking to strengthen his central defence following a knee injury suffered by Portuguese defender Pepe, and comments that Evans is high on his list of potential replacements.

It is unlikely however that Ferguson would entertain allowing another of his first-team stars to depart for the Bernabeu, after losing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham in recent seasons.

Pellegrini may be forced to re-assess any move, with Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho also reported to be on the Spanish side’s transfer radar.

Carvalho made his 200th appearance for the London club yesterday, and speaking on their official website stated that he is enjoying life with the Premier League leaders.

Madrid themselves demolished Real Zaragoza 6-0 on Saturday evening, and started the match with the pairing of Ezequiel Garay and Raul Albiol in the centre of defence.


this better not be true