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David Beckham enhanced his hero status with Manchester United supporters by publicly identifying himself with the ongoing revolt against the club’s American owners, the Glazer family.
Beckham, who was given a standing ovation when he came on as a substitute in AC Milan’s 4-0 defeat, made a point of picking up one of the green and gold scarves worn by supporters of the anti-Glazer movement and wrapping it round his neck before heading up the tunnel at the end of the game.
Green and gold were the colours of Newton Heath, the club which preceded Manchester United, and have been adopted by fans as a symbol of the club’s history and traditions, which many of them feel are under threat from the high levels of debt which the Glazers have brought to the club.
Beckham had appeared to be close to tears as every section of the crowd chanted his name following his entry with 25 minutes left, but he admitted it had not been quite the homecoming he had hoped for.
“It was a disappointing night because we lost the game but, of course, returning here was special,” he said.
“I have to say thank you (to the United fans), it was really incredible. It was nice to be back.”
Beckham almost marked his return with a spectacular goal, his sweetly-struck volley forcing Edwin van der Sar into a smart save.
“I caught it too well almost,” Beckham added. “But by that stage the game was over. Once they’d scored the first goal and then the second. They’re a good team.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to the phenomenal contribution of Wayne Rooney, whose two goals took his tally to four for the tie and 30 for the season.
“I think the early goal in the second half finished them off. When we play at that tempo we are very hard to beat.”
Ferguson said he could now see Rooney going on to surpass the 42 goals that Cristiano Ronaldo scored for United in the 2007-08 campaign.
“It is a challenge. I was happy to see him get to the 30 mark, but he keeps getting better.”
Ferguson also praised the contribution of Park Ji-Sung, who once again restricted the influence of Milan’s playmaker, Andrea Pirlo, as well as claiming United’s third goal with a fine finish.
“He showed sacrifice, intelligence and discipline and we needed that against Pirlo who is a very good player for them,” Ferguson said.
Milan coach Leonardo admitted United had been simply too powerful for his injury-depleted squad.
“I guess we can analyse the game in many ways, but the one thing we cannot deny is the performance of United,” the Brazilian said. “They played a truly great game.
“Conceding a goal so early made a comeback even more complicated for us.
“In the first leg we played an equal match. We lost but we dominated for some periods. Today was different. We have some problems but United is a very strong team, they can use your mistakes in the best way. They are very clinical and that is what you have to be in this competition.”
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