Evra relishing Beckham's European return

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MANCHESTER, England, Dec 19, 2009 (AFP) - Patrice Evra is looking forward to playing against former Old Trafford hero David Beckham after Manchester United were drawn against AC Milan in the Champions League.

England midfielder Beckham, who made his name with United, is set to begin his second loan spell with Italian giants Milan from US Major League Soccer side the Los Angeles Galaxy in January.

Beckham won the Champions League with United in 1999 before moving to Real Madrid four years later.

"I am happy for David Beckham because he did a lot for United and I know he wanted to play again at Old Trafford," France international defender Evra told the club's official website following Friday's draw for the last 16.

"I will say 'welcome home' to him but I will make sure he doesn't have an easy game! I like him because I have met him and he is a good person, a real gentleman.

"He's a professional and that is why Milan wanted him. I'm sure all his old team-mates who are still here are looking forward to welcoming him back," Evra added.

"But I'm looking forward more to playing against Milan rather than just Beckham, because Milan are much more than one man," insisted Evra, a member of the United side that lost last season's Champions League final 2-0 to Barcelona in Rome in May.

As well as wanting to go up against Beckham, Evra was equally keen to banish the memory of United's 2007 semi-final loss to Milan when the Italians won 5-3 on aggregate.

"I remember it was a very frustrating tie. We won 3-2 at home but we didn't play very well. In the second game I was suspended and watched it on TV.

"It was very difficult to see my team lose 3-0 in that way, but after that game we had more experience and we won the Champions League (beating English rivals Chelsea on penalties in the Moscow final) the next year."

Meanwhile veteran United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to be pitting his wits against Milan once again.

"We've come up against AC Milan many times in the quarter and semi-finals so it'll be a fantastic setting for two great clubs," he said.

Ferguson added the memory of last season's tame loss to Barcelona will inspire United this term.

"What's important is that we lost the last final. It was the first time I'd ever lost a European final.

"We know where we went wrong in that, it's quite simple, and I think they'll all want to get back to the final.

"It does that for you. Winning was great in Moscow, but in some ways losing in the final was even better for us in terms of you realise what a big occasion it is because you're not part of the celebrations."

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and the club's first choice back four have all been sidelines by injuries so far this season.

Van der Sar has been sent back to his native Holland for treatment on a knee injury and is set to be out of action for a further two weeks, missing the busy Christmas period.

Ferguson, who hopes to have him back in time for the first leg away to Milan on February 16, said the keeper's experience was an invaluable asset.

"Van der Sar is unbelievable. His composure, organisational abilities, the control of the people in front of him...he's a hell of a presence.

"Tomasz Kuszczak is 27 now but he hasn't had a great deal of first-team football in the Premier League. The same with Ben Foster. You miss the composure that Edwin van der Sar brings.

"But on the positive side, Kuszczak has been fantastic.

"At Portsmouth he made three fantastic saves at a time when we needed the saves, so he's playing his part."