Beckham returns to Old Trafford - but will he play?

Old Trafford welcomes back one of its most famous sons this evening as David Beckham's AC Milan team try and overcome a 3-2 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League tie with Manchester United.

The odds are stacked against Beckham and it is not clear if he will even make the starting line-up, but throughout his career the midfielder has had a habit of stealing the headlines. And after being eclipsed by Wayne Rooney in the first leg, who would bet against Goldenballs grabbing the limelight in front of his old fans?

It was a prospect that Sir Alex Ferguson has obviously considered. The United manager rarely gushes about his former players, but he conceded that Beckham could pose problems.

"I think David's strength has always been in his crossing and his set-piece play. That doesn't change. That has been his strength throughout his career, and the one thing with David that you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball. It is fantastic and that is a threat," said Ferguson.

But the United manager was not solely focused on Beckham. "There are lots of threats that Milan have," he commented, before admitting that he was not sure how the visitors would line up.

Ferguson said he believed the inclusion of young Brazilian of Alexandre Pato in Milan's squad was significant. If fit the striker could make the starting eleven, relegating Beckham to the bench, where he has started most of Milan's recent games.

Ferguson also claimed that Milan's late second goal in the first leg left the match on a "tightrope", although the Rossoneri will have to score at least twice in Manchester to stand any chance of going through.

Beckham meanwhile has made it abundantly clear that he is looking forward to returning to his old stamping ground, and if his reception at Manchester airport, where he was mobbed by fans, is anything to go by, he will be warmly received.

The former United No 7 also paid tribute to Ferguson, describing him as a father figure. However, he also acknowledged their sometimes fractious relationship.

"He's a scary man, but in a really good way," said Beckham, who left United in 2003, six months after Ferguson kicked a boot at the player and left him with a nasty cut over the right eye. ·