David Beckham says it would be ‘beautiful’ to play against ‘Manchester’ in this year’s Champions League and is hoping to win the competition with AC Milan.

He couldn’t possibly mean that he wants to knock United out of Europe, could he.

“I would really like to face my former team in the next round,” said Beckham. “Since I left in 2003, I have not returned to play at Old Trafford. Seven years have gone by and I would like for that to happen. Me against Manchester, it would be beautiful, wouldn’t it?”

Given that United have reached the final for the past two seasons, he knows how much of a test it would be to play against us.

“It would be very difficult,” he continued. “But it will be very exciting. I like big challenges and I would love to play that type of game. I would love to win the Champions League because it is a special competition, where the strongest teams compete.”