Sir Alex Ferguson was at his gloriously dismissive best when his San Siro press conference began with a question about 'Golden Balls'. "That was three seconds, ------ hell,'' said Ferguson. United's manager knew what was coming.
Beckham against his side for the first time is a good plotline, although probably not the key story of Tuesday evening's drama. That could be Rooney versus Alessandro Nesta, Darren Fletcher versus Andrea Pirlo, even Patrice Evra against Pato.
Ferguson is too canny to venture any observation that could be construed as being critical of Beckham, even eulogising the 34 year-old's "big experience'', but it was interesting to hear him lavishing praise on another of his former No 7s, Cristiano Ronaldo, and lauding Rooney.
"Manchester United build up heroes very quickly and players like Rooney will be that kind of player,'' said Ferguson. "I know he came to us as a young player but United fans will always look upon Rooney as one of their own, developed at their own club. We are a peculiar club in that sense. When players come through they will always be regarded more than anyone you buy.''
Rooney cost £27 million in 2004, was developed through Everton's excellent academy and then under David Moyes in the first team. He was an England star with a major tournament (Euro 2004) under his belt before signing for Ferguson. But Ferguson's argument makes sense in that the striker has undoubtedly matured magnificently, his recent displays promoting an avalanche of superlatives.
"The way you write about him, he must be God,'' observed Ferguson, mocking the media's deification of England's leading light. "His form has brought it to the high point of his career in the last few months, he's really improving. World class is a misused phrase but you have to consider Rooney to be one of the best players in the world.''
Some pundits would place Rooney on a pedestal on his own. Ferguson had a certain Real Madrid attacker up there.
"Ronaldo is the best player in the world but then again I'm biased,'' said Ferguson. "When you lose a great player there's a loss but you have to recover from that and look at your team differently. You can't sit and complain about not having him. We have too much importance about our club. He was a marvellous player, marvellous player.''
But what about Becks?! Ferguson relented. "David left some years ago and we move on in life. Different team, different players, that's what happens.''
But what about Becks saying he wouldn't celebrate if he scored. He loves United. He has three season tickets still. "We hope he's not celebrating anyway. I think David has great experience. He has 100 and something caps for England.''
Ferguson preferred to focus on present players, rather than past. He needs Rooney, Fletcher and company to show their new "maturity'', to demonstrate that they are a more cohesive force than the team embarrassed by Milan last time out in 2007. United have a shocking record against Milan, having bowed out of Europe after four out of four meetings with them (1958, 1969, 2005 and 2007).
Fletcher was particularly poor in 2007, a wallflower at Kaka's party.
The Scot has been increasingly impressive, particularly now that Ferguson has formed a three-man containing and raiding party in midfield. Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes all complement each other.
"We see the improvement in Fletcher,'' said Ferguson. "We should be satisfied that he has improved each year and it's wonderful to see young players coming through into their mid-twenties and still improving.''
On Tuesday night, Fletcher will be hoping for more tolerance and better eyesight from the Portuguese referee, Olegario Benquerenca, who controversially denied the Scot a penalty against CSKA Moscow in November when he was clearly brought down by Alexei Berezutski. Adding insult to iniquity, Fletcher was booked for simulation.
Fletcher will need to be on his game, closing down Pirlo, so stopping Milan's most fluid supply line to a forward line of Pato, Kaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ronaldinho that, if it clicks, could cause problems. United should have Rio Ferdinand restored and will hope he has put his back problem behind him. "There's nothing wrong with him mentally but he has had his injury,'' added Ferguson.
"Our expectations are high. They always are with our good players and good team. Milan have excellent footballers, five or six have maybe won the European Cup twice, but we have experience too.'' Experience and fresh legs, aiming to time their run well to the major honours.
"It's maybe the nature of them that the second half of the season tends to lighten up the team,'' said Ferguson. "They accept there's a big challenge. They know the league's at stake. We had to improve our position behind Chelsea and then Europe starts. I think I'm right when I say they are big-game players.''
He will find out tonight, particularly if they eclipse a big-name player in David Beckham.
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