Beckham vows not to celebrate goal

Speaking ahead of the first-leg tie at the San Siro, Beckham told official club magazine Inside United: “Sometimes emotion can get the better of you when you score but I don’t think I would celebrate. I have respect for the supporters and for the club.”

Beckham will make his long awaited return to Old Trafford on March 10 for the second leg of the last 16 clash, having yet to come face-to-face with his former employers since leaving the Red Devils for Real Madrid in 2003.

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The former England captain has often admitted he found it difficult to leave United nearly seven years ago, and revealed he still misses playing for his favourite club.

"United was the club I always wanted to play for and I loved every minute of my time there. The first few years [after leaving] were hard and there were a lot of things I missed,” he said.

Beckham paid homage to the United fans he left behind, revealing they would always have a place in his heart.

"The relationship I have with the fans is still very important to me. I went through some difficult times during my time there but they stood by me.

"I would not have got through everything without them. To me they are the best fans in the world and the support they gave me week in week out was incredible. Nothing will ever beat that."

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.