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Champions League last 16 second leg
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday 10 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports 2

David Beckham insists he will not show any nerves when he faces Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

The midfielder will line up against his former club in the Champions League last 16 second leg tie, with Milan needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit.

But the 34-year-old, still revered by United fans, said: “I’m not nervous.

“Coming back to Manchester as a Milan player is exciting. It will be a tough game for us but nothing is impossible.”

The match will see Beckham line up as part of the opposition at Old Trafford for the first time since he left United for Real Madrid in 2003.

He faces a United side boosted by the return to fitness of Wayne Rooney – who scored twice in the first leg – but that will be without Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick through injury and suspension.

Still, despite receiving a hero’s welcome on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, Beckham is not guaranteed a start – and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he is struggling to predict Milan’s team as a result.

“I am finding it difficult to pick their team, I don’t know whether Beckham will start,” said the Scot.

“I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game.

“But he will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic. That is the threat. There are a lot of threats in their team of course, but we are well aware of David’s.”

Asked whether Beckham had a chance of starting, Milan coach Leonardo skirted round the issue.

“For Beckham, it is obviously something special to have the opportunity to play against Manchester United given his history at the club,” he said.

“When we saw the draw we knew it would be an unbelievable situation for him. But knowing David, and his attitude, I am sure he can cope.”

Whether he starts or not, though, Beckham admits this is the first time he has ever wanted the club he supported as a boy to lose.

“I will always be a Manchester fan and this is perhaps the first time in my life that I want them to lose,” he told the AC Milan website. “I’ll meet up with many friends and all the people who supported me for many years on the night.

“I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.

“But I also know what it means for opponents to play there. It is always difficult to win, especially 2-0. We know we’ll have to go for it, play good passes and create many moves, we have many players who can score. We are aware of the fact that it will be a very difficult match, but nothing’s impossible.

“Milan have a lot of experience in Europe, they’re one of the best clubs in the world.”

If selected, Beckham could once again line up against former team-mate and long-term friend Paul Scholes, who believes the return to Old Trafford of the ex-England skipper will ensure a cracking atmosphere.

“United fans still love him for what he did for this club and he will get a fantastic ovation,” said Scholes, who made the United first-team alongside Beckham in the 1990s.

“He will need to be watched though. If you give him time and room on the ball there is no doubt he will pick players out. From free kicks as well, his delivery is as great as ever.”

Milan, though, will have to create history if they are to reach the quarter-finals – Manchester United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg.

Still, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi remains defiant, saying: “We don’t fear any team in the world, not even Manchester United. On the contrary, it’s the others who must fear us.”

Ferguson, meanwhile, has urged supporters to keep their protests against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club away from the match.

There has been some suggestion that fans will delay their entrance into the match by 10 minutes, but Ferguson said: “They won’t do that, it is too important a game.

“Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, the fans will be united and singing with one voice to get us through.”

Champions League last 16 second leg
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday 10 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports 2

Manchester United will be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney from injury for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie against AC Milan.

The in-form England frontman sat out Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Wolves with a knee problem but trained on Tuesday.

Wes Brown, however, misses out due to an injury sustained against Wolves, while Ryan Giggs (arm) and Michael Carrick (ban) are also unavailable.

David Beckham could start on the bench for Milan on his Old Trafford return.

The 34-year-old has not started a match since lining up in the first XI in the first leg in Milan and may have to content himself with a role as substitute again.

However, If selected, it will be the first time the former Manchester United midfielder, who was mobbed by supporters on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, has played at Old Trafford as a member of the opposition since he left for Real Madrid in 2003.

And he will almost certainly come up against Rooney, who has made a swift recovery from a recent knee problem.

“It was a worry with Rooney,” said Ferguson of his 28-goal front-man. “Looking at him last Friday I didn’t think he had any chance.

“But he has progressed and he plays and we are pleased at that because given his form at the moment I am sure that whatever match he went into he would be an absolute threat to anyone.”

Rooney’s return could mean Dimitar Berbatov drops to the bench with Ferguson favouring one man up front in recent European games.

United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg and have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Chelsea in 2008 and losing last year to Barcelona.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Neville, De Laet, Park, Scholes, Obertan, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Fletcher, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown faces a lay-off of four to six weeks with a broken bone in his foot suffered at Wolves on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was hurt after a challenge with Matt Jarvis and left Molineux with his foot in a protective boot before having a scan on Sunday.

“It’s just unfortunate,” United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said. “He has had a career blighted by injury.”

There had been fears the injury would rule him out of the summer’s World Cup.

But the news will be concerning for England boss Fabio Capello as Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson is only just making his way back from a knee ligament problem which has kept him out since the end of December.

England’s campaign in South Africa kicks off on 12 June against the United States.

Brown will miss Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 return leg against AC Milan and a majority of United’s end-of-season fixture programme.

However, with nine games remaining in the Premier League, as well as the ongoing Champions League campaign, Ferguson added: “We hope to get him back for some of the season.”

It is another bad injury for the right-back, who has also slotted in at centre-back, and comes just over a year after breaking a metatarsal.

Brown won his 23rd cap for England against Egypt last Wednesday and is expected to be in Capello’s squad for the World Cup.

United head to Old Trafford on the back of an impressive 3-2 win in Italy but with a growing injury list which already includes Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O’Shea (leg).

However, striker Wayne Rooney has overcome a knee problem.

Paul Scholes grabbed the winner to earn Manchester United a laboured win over strugglers Wolves and send his side back to the top of the Premier League.

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani’s pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes’s 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined 25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy’s controversial decision to field a weakened side.

But there will be no repeat this time around following a performance full of valour, intent and no little talent from a line-up that has been unchanged in four matches.

Kevin Doyle was the star turn as he performed well against Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand – the first time United’s first-choice centre-back pairing had played together since October last year.

The Irishman had the first chance of note, dragging wide from inside the area, and was then heavily involved in a fine counter-attacking move on the half hour that ended with David Jones’s shot being charged down bravely by Michael Carrick.

Neither of those were as gilt-edged as the chance that fell to Stephen Ward, though, the midfielder rising unmarked six yards out only to head Matt Jarvis’s cross straight at United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

United, denied any room across the park by Wolves’ hassle and harry, were desperately missing Rooney, unavailable after aggravating a knee injury on England duty in midweek.

Dimitar Berbatov, up front on his own, was at times sublime but at others ineffective, while Nani, Scholes and Darron Gibson were unthreatening.

The best the visitors managed before the break was when Gibson got an out-stretched foot onto Nani’s deflected free-kick, but his effort dribbled wide.

Ferguson’s side did at least up the tempo in the second half, and Patrice Evra almost forced the opener when he burst onto Gibson’s pass, only to see his original effort blocked and the follow-up cleared by Kevin Foley.

Still, though, a lack of spark in the United ranks only added to Wolves’ confidence levels and McCarthy’s side continued to look the more likely to score.

That was until Scholes’ intervention, with the veteran midfielder’s neat finish rounding off 100 Premier League goals 16 years after his first.

After that, in truth, United could have had plenty more. Ji-Sung Park forced a good block running on to an excellent Berbatov pass, while Mame Diouf wasted two fine openings, heading a Gary Neville cross over at the back post and then dragging a shot wide on the counter-attack.

However, there was still time for a twist in the tale and Vokes almost provided it in injury time.

The substitute looked odds-on to score and snatch what would have been a vital point for the hosts when Ronald Zubar’s prodded pass fell to him unmarked eight yards out with the goal gaping, but he somehow contrived to sweep the ball over the bar and leave McCarthy with his head in his hands.

It means Wolves, with only four home games to come from their remaining 10 matches, have it all to do to retain their Premier League status this season.

But United continue their charge for a fourth straight title, even if, on this evidence, they must be eagerly awaiting Rooney’s return from injury.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy
“We played well but I’m sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change.

“Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it’s the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other.

“But we’ll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies.”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson:
“We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn’t take it.

“Our form is good and we’re managing without some players, which is important at this time of year.

“And we have players coming back – that was the first time that back four has played together for a year and a half.”

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears that Wayne Rooney could miss the Champions League second-leg match with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The striker was unavailable for United’s 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee injury playing for England in midweek.

“He’s a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us,” said Ferguson.

“It wasn’t looking good when he got back on Thursday – his knee was swollen,” added the United boss.

United coped without Rooney in the win at Molineux, with Paul Scholes scoring the solitary goal in a hard-fought win that took the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table.

United are already without striker Michael Owen, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old Rooney had been struggling with the knee problem before last weekend’s Carling Cup final but still played in England’s win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley, much to Ferguson’s chagrin.

“I don’t think he should have played on Wednesday,” said Ferguson.

“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no.”

“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

“[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.

“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I can’t believe it.”

Rooney was a substitute in United’s 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa, but came on after Owen pulled up with the hamstring injury and scored the winning goal.

Rooney admitted to a knee problem after the match but still played 86 minutes in England’s 3-1 victory over Egypt on a Wembley pitch which has drawn widespread criticism over the last week.

The turf was seen to cut up last Sunday leading to Ferguson partly blaming it for Owen’s hamstring injury.

Rooney has been a key figure for United this season, scoring 27 goals this season, including two in United’s 3-2 first-leg win in Italy, while he leads the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals.

“It is hard to quell the enthusiasm of people like Wayne,” Ferguson added.

“He is restless. He can’t sit down. He is always on the move. Even in hotels he is moving from one table to another. If we are away in Europe he is walking about all the time.

“You don’t want to take away from him but age does some good things for you.

“Eventually you see you can’t be doing this running about all the time. You have to take a rest sometimes.”

Manchester United striker Michael Owen will not play again this season after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old, who scored United’s equaliser at Wembley, pulled up while chasing a pass in the first half.

The injury all but ends Owen’s hopes of playing for England at the World Cup.

“It is more serious than we thought. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley played some part, but it’s also bad luck,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Owen, who will have one year remaining on his two-year contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season, was initially expected to be out for only a few weeks, but will now undergo surgery on Monday.

He said: “I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.

“I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition.”

Owen, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, admitted in February that he was not expecting to be included in coach Fabio Capello’s 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa.

He last played for the national side in March 2008 in a 1-0 friendly defeat by France, but has not featured in a squad since.

“It’s been a long time since I was in the England squad. You never give up but it’s probably a long shot in racing terms,” Owen told BBC Sport last month.

And that call seems even less likely now, considering Capello said he would only recall Owen if he was playing regularly for United.

Owen, who has struggled with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament injuries in the past, had not missed a training session this season following his surprise move to Old Trafford on a reported pay-as-you-play deal in the summer.

But the 2001 European footballer of the year found starting chances limited, with 20 of his 31 appearances this season coming as substitute.

However, he has scored nine goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the Champions League win against Wolfsburg and an injury-time winner in September’s Manchester derby before Sunday’s equaliser in the Carling Cup final.

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is set to make his return from injury with a run out for the reserves on Thursday.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since September 2008, when he underwent revolutionary knee surgery.

But Hargreaves has resumed training with the first team and boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he could return against Manchester City’s second string.

“He’s shown for the first time he is almost ready to play,” said Ferguson.

The England midfielder, who joined Manchester United in 2007 from Bayern Munich, has suffered long-term problems with tendinitis and played only three games for his club in 2008.

In a bid to solve the problem, he had knee surgery under the guidance of specialist Dr Richard Steadman in America and returned to United’s Carrington training base 12 months later.

But his expected return to training within a couple of months did not materialise and his comeback has been continually delayed.

Recent rumours suggested that Hargreaves was out for the remainder of the season but he could be on target to assist with United’s title run-in, should he come through the reserves derby match at Altrincham’s Moss Lane ground.

Ferguson added: “He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday.”

United also look set to welcome back Italian Under-21 international Federico Macheda from injury.

It is a timely return, given that forward Michael Owen has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and Danny Welbeck has joined Championship side Preston North End on loan.

“Macheda starts training with the first team again next week which is also good news, particularly considering the loss of Michael,” stated Ferguson.

“He is a good player to have back, so we have had some disappointments with some, and light at the end of the tunnel with other players.”

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Manchester United chief executive David Gill has dismissed concerns surrounding the Glazer family, claiming the owners were “running the club the right way”.

The club’s debt level of 716.5m has prompted much unease among supporters, with one group of wealthy fans – “The Red Knights” – targeting a takeover.

But Mr Gill said: “The Glazers do not want to sell and from our perspective are running the club in the right way.

“The owners are very long-term owners… they are not sellers.”

The so-called Red Knights include Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill, acting in a personal capacity, lawyer Mark Rawlinson and financier Keith Harris.

Mr Gill said that the group were “credible people” who had “every right to do what they think is right”.

But he added there were questions about how a group of up to 40 wealthy individuals would be able to run the club.

Financial stability

There has been criticism of the Glazer regime because a once-debt free company is now carrying large debts.

The amount of debt secured on the club and the Glazers’ shareholding in it is more than 700m according to recent accounts.

However Mr Gill said that a recent bond issue which replaced 509m bank debt with a 512m bond provided financial stability going forward.

He added: “Our financial results show that we can live with [our financial] structure, and enjoy the benefits.”

Before the emergence of the Red Knights, United’s owners were already under fire over their control of the club from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (Must) – which is running a vocal campaign to bring about a change of ownership.

Chief executive of Must, Duncan Drasdo, said its membership had doubled to about 78,000 people in the past month – with much of that growth coming following the “Red Knights revelation”.

Mr Gill said that those Manchester United fan groups opposed to the Glazers ownership of the club were intelligent people with ideas about how the Old Trafford outfit should be run.

But he said the issue had perhaps received the wide coverage that it did because United was such a big club.

And he pointed to the cases of clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and AC Milan, where it is the owners who make key decisions “not the fans”.

Mr Gill told Soccerex delegates: “Unless the owners wish to sell, and they have not given any indication to me, then they can’t buy the asset – it is not for sale.”

‘Passionate’

He said that although the Glazer family did not attend every match at Old Trafford they watched them all on television.

“They are passionate about the club, they do understand sport,” he added.

He also pointed to the fact that the Glazer family had owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American Football team since 1995, demonstrating their long-term interest in sport.

“People will see that Manchester United will continue to be a well-run club,” he said.

“The structure we have in place is entirely appropriate.”

Manchester United’s Gary Neville will not worry about his future but intends instead to focus on his current form.

The 35-year-old defender, who has played for United for 18 years, comes to the end of his contract in June and has yet to be offered a new deal.

“I don’t know. I’m not thinking about it,” he said when asked about extending his career beyond this season.

“I’m at the age now where I just want to stay fit and concentrate on the last few days of the season.”

Neville is part of a famed generation at Old Trafford under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, that rose through the ranks with the likes of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and his brother Phil to form part of the group known as “Fergie’s fledglings”.

But the former United skipper has struggled to make the team recently, falling behind Wes Brown and Rafael da Silva in Ferguson’s selection for right-back.

The veteran defender added: “The difference now is that when I play games I get fitter, but when I get injured it takes me a month to get back.”

Neville has been plagued by repeated injuries since breaking his ankle in a match against Bolton in 2007.

In the last three season he has suffered repeated muscular injuries resulting in only a sporadic presence on the field.

He has been increasingly sidelined as he has aged, missing out on both the 2008 and 2009 Champions League finals.

Despite such worries, Neville came on as a substitute in the Carling Cup final on Sunday for around 25 minutes as United battled to retain the league cup, beating Aston Villa 2-1.