Fergie: Becks will be in S Africa

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed David Beckham to make England's World Cup squad but still insists he has no regrets over selling the midfielder seven years ago.

Ferguson is preparing to meet his former player when United take on AC Milan in their Champions League second-round clash and the Scot expects Beckham's second spell at the San Siro to result in him securing a place in Fabio Capello's plans for South Africa.

"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," Ferguson said.

"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."

With Beckham still thriving as he approaches his 35th birthday, Ferguson was asked if he regretted selling him when he was in his prime. "No regrets. We move on," was the response.

United travel to Milan for the first leg of their tie on Feb 16 and the second leg, three weeks later, will represent Beckham's first return to Old Trafford since he left for Real Madrid after falling out with Ferguson in 2003.

"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," Ferguson said.

"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."

Reuters

Source: China Daily