Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson warns of David Beckham 'media circus' for Milan Champions League clash

Fergie still has 'no regrets' over letting Becks go to Madrid in 2003...

2 Feb 2010 15:23:00

By James Daly

More On :  Manchester United, Real Madrid, David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson
David Beckham - Milan (Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that David Beckham's return to Old Trafford with AC Milan is only exceptional because of the "media circus" that will follow.
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Ferguson admitted he had "no regrets" in selling Beckham to Real Madrid in 2003 after a personality clash forced the then-England captain abroad.

The pair will be on opposing sides for the frst time since that move when Beckham's Milan side host Ferguson's United at the San Siro in the Champions League last 16 tie in two weeks.

Ferguson told the club's official magazine - Inside United - he was more concerned with the present than the past.

"The only difference with David's return to Manchester United compared with other players is that there will be a big media circus surrounding him when Milan arrive," said Ferguson.

"[I have] no regrets. We move on.

"He's such a high-profile celebrity - not just a high-profile footballer - and we haven't really seen anybody else return to the club in that situation.

"Our job is to concentrate on the football match and let the David Beckham media circus carry on - we know we're not going to stop it anyway."

Beckham, 34, is on loan at Milan from parent club LA Galaxy in a bid to squeeze into England's squad for the World Cup this summer.

Ferguson expects Beckham to be challenging for a place in Fabio Capello's selection for the finals in South Africa.

He said: "I think I told him myself last year when I saw him before our game against Inter that he should be thinking about getting back to Europe if he wanted to go to the World Cup.

"And it looks like he might just get his wish now. He had a good spell with Milan last time, so it made sense to me to see him back there again.

"The European Cup is always special to us and we've had some marvellous nights at Old Trafford. I just hope we have another one.

"We're away from home in the first leg, which won't be easy, but I'm certain the tie will be decided back at Old Trafford."

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