Beckham prepares to take on United for the first time

It will be an emotional night in Milan for David Beckham as he prepares to play against his former club Manchester United for the first time since he left Old Trafford in 2003.

Beckham, now on loan at AC Milan, is expected to play some part in the first leg of the tie against United, even if it is only as a substitute.

Talking on the eve of the game, the former England skipper said that he had nothing but good memories of his time in the red of United and described his old manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a "father figure".

Ironically, his comments came on the seventh anniversary of United's defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, the date that Beckham's departure became, in the eyes of many, inevitable. After being subjected to the infamous Ferguson hairdryer Beckham emerged from the dressing room with a cut above his left eye, caused when his manager kicked a boot at him and it struck him in the face.

However, Beckham holds no grudge. "[Ferguson] gave me the chance to play for a club I'd always dreamt of playing for," he said. "I definitely don’t hold anything against the manager — he's really an incredible man. There are only good memories from Manchester United, nothing else. There's definitely no score to be settled."

The former United number seven, who inherited the iconic shirt from Eric Cantona and bequeathed it to Cristiano Ronaldo, admitted that it would be the first time he wanted United to lose, but pledged not to celebrate should he score.

Ferguson on the other hand was less gushing when asked about Beckham's first ever match against his old club. He has spoken of the 'circus' that surrounds the player and when asked about it at the start of a press conference, his reply was typically brusque - "That's three seconds. Bloody hell! Can't you build it up a bit?"

He also appeared to damn Beckham with faint praise. "We are peculiar at this club because the players, like Beckham, who come through the ranks are always viewed as being better than those you buy," he said.

Ferguson also heaped praise onto his striker Wayne Rooney. "World class is a misused term, but with Rooney, you have to say he is getting to the point where he is now one of the best players in the world."

One United player who now appears to have plenty in common with Beckham circa 2003 is Nemanja Vidic, who has pulled out of the game, despite apparently gettting the all clear from the United medical team.

"He has been training for the last 10 days but he still does not feel he is ready to take part in games," said an exasperated Ferguson, whose relationship with the player now appears to have broken down. New England captain Rio Ferdinand should be fit to take his place in the United defence however. ·