A Manchester United legend will return to Old Trafford tonight. Acclaimed by the club’s supporters, he’s long since written his name into United history despite coming from one of their more traditionally disliked backgrounds. His goals, assists and all around quality light up many a game, and his influence on tonight’s proceedings could be huge. Oh, and David Beckham’s back too.
While the erstwhile United midfielder is guaranteed a great reception from the green and gold wearing hordes tonight – as he returns to Old Trafford for the first time in a club match since his 2003 departure for Real Madrid – the loudest cheer of the night will be reserved for Wayne Rooney.
Beckham scored 85 goals in 394 games for United, winning countless trophies along the way, but it is Rooney, with 28 goals this season, who is the new idol of the fans. His influence was sorely missed in the laboured 1-0 win at Wolves at the weekend, and it is he who AC Milan will fear most tonight.
Amidst the storied, modern greats of the game such as Beckham, Paul Scholes, Andrea Pirlo, Rio Ferdinand and Clarence Seedorf – all of whom are the wrong side of 30; Ronaldinho will hit that landmark in just 11 days time – there will stand the 24-year-old Rooney, the young Englishman who quite literally has the world at his feet. Or maybe that should be his head.
The forward’s recent haul of headed goals represents just the latest facet of his game he has improved upon. While the reason for the sudden increase is hardly rocket science – Rooney has a lot more crosses to attack when Antonio Valencia is on his right-hand side than he had when Cristiano Ronaldo was there – it nonetheless will be playing on Milan minds this evening, particularly after two Rooney headers established the 3-2 lead that United hold from the first leg.
Perhaps that’s their best tactic this evening, to rain in crosses in the hope that Rooney can get on the end of them, but they’d be wise to play a fast passing game in a bid to overcome their Italian opponents.
Michael Carrick, arguably their best passer of the ball, will be missing due to the red card he picked up in the closing stages of the game in the San Siro, but in the likes of Valencia and Nani, United possess two quick, tricky wingers whose pace could cause the Milan full backs problems, and we know who can benefit from their crosses.
Rooney scored twice the last time Milan visited Old Trafford, a 3-2 win for the hosts in a 2007 semi-final that ultimately proved fruitless due to a poor second leg showing at the San Siro.
Two goals tonight would be more than enough to put United through, and would be just the latest chapter in a story that is sure to get better and better.
Beckham may be back tonight, but for once he’ll have to step out of the spotlight.
It’s Rooney’s time to shine once again.
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