Champions League: Manchester United v AC Milan
All eyes will be on David Beckham as the former Manchester United midfielder makes his first return to Old Trafford with AC Milan in the second leg of the Champions League last 16. All the action from Beckham’s no doubt emotional return will be broadcast live on STV and online on Wednesday March 10 from 7.30pm.
United hold the advantage going into their home leg having came from a goal down to defeat the Rossoneri 3-2 at the San Siro but Leonardo’s Milan side possess enough quality in attack to worry a Red Devils’ defence which has been susceptible to crumbling against direct frontlines both home and away.
Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Sunderland have all profited at the Theatre of Dreams this campaign, taking advantage of an inconsistent United defence.
Yet despite shipping goals at home against Craig Bellamy, Darren Bent and Carlos Tevez et al, all of the aforementioned failed to leave with the win. At Old Trafford, United may be guilty of losing soft goals but they undoubtedly hold the resolve and firepower to do enough to see themselves through.
While AC Milan have good forward players in Alexandre Pato, Marco Borriello and Ronaldinho, they aren’t as robust at the back. There is the distinct possibility that, with Wayne Rooney fit, a rampant United team could do to the Serie A team what they did to their countrymen Roma in April 2007 in the quarter finals, when they were crushed 7-1.
Ferguson has warned against any complacency from his side and is eager for his team to finish of the Italians with goals.
"I don't think we should be confused by the 3-2. It's a very difficult game for us, and we'll treat it as such,” he said. “We're hoping to kill the tie by our own attacking abilities but Milan have to score, which should make it a more open match."
United will be without Wes Brown for the clash, the defender is likely to be out for four to six weeks with a broken bone in his foot. Ferguson meanwhile has confirmed Rooney is fit despite being sidelined for the game against Wolves at the weekend with a knee injury.
Milan will welcome the return of Pato in their bid to overturn their 3-2 deficit. The striker is the key part of the three-pronged attack favoured by Milan coach Leonardo, but was out with a thigh injury for the side’s goalless draw with AS Roma on Saturday.
