AC Milan player, David Beckham, has said that his former club, Manchester United, can go all the way in the Champions League this season.

Beckham was talking after United beat AC Milan comfortably after the second leg at Old Trafford. Beckham got the come back to his boy hood club, which he said he had been dreaming of ever since he left.

United now look to be in a very strong position and with some other high calibre clubs going out of Europe, there job may have just got slightly easier.

Beckham said: “When you get knocked out of a competition you kind of hope that the team that knocks you out goes all the way. It is always disappointing when you lose games, especially when they are as important as this, but we’ve come up against a great United side tonight.”

“The thing that I will take is the reception I got from the fans, it was unbelievable. It meant a lot [coming back here]. It’s definitely up there as one of my best nights, obviously without the result. The atmosphere, the occasion and everything that the fans gave to me tonight was unbelievable. I hope they go all the way again. They deserve to, it is a great club, a great fan base and a great manager.”

“I’m a Manchester United fan and when I saw the scarf I wanted to put it round my neck. It’s the old colours of United but, it’s not my business. I’m a United fan and I support the club. I always will, but it’s got nothing to do with me how it’s run. That’s all to do with other people. I will always support the team.”

“He is one of the best in the world at the moment, if not the best. Wayne will continue to play like that because he is a passionate player, he is a young player, he wants to learn. With [Lionel] Messi and Ronaldo he is up there with the best, if not at the top. He has always scared defenders, whoever he has played for. Let’s hope he continues that.”

Milan were no match for a clearly in form United side that probably could not have played any better. However, it is important for Ferguson’s side not to get carried away ahead of some important matches.

There are still some big sides in the Champions League who will be wanting to make good on European promises they may have made at the start of the season.

United will be praying that Rooney does not get injured any time soon because it is clear he is one of the most influential players playing football at this current time. If they lose him it will be a huge blow to the club and for England ahead of a big summer.

Next up for United is Fulham at Old Trafford in a match that United will be hoping to use a chance to push on their Premier League ambitions for the season.

So it’s official, the reigning world player of the year now plies his trade in La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by around 80,000 jubilant Real Madrid fans upon his official revealing as the Bernabeu neared its full capacity on Monday night. If you thought Florentino Perez’s second ‘Galacticos’ era had begun with the unveiling of Brazilian Kaka last week, well it has well and truly begun now.

Ronaldo’s unveiling breaks the record number of fans turning out for such an occasion which was previously set by none other than Diego Maradona, who attracted 75,000 upon his arrival at Napoli in 1984.

Put world records to one side for a minute however, take a step back and look at what effect this transfer can have on other major leagues in Europe. The arrivals of Kaka and Ronaldo in Madrid means La Liga have arguably the three best players in the world, with Lionel Messi set to remain at the Nou Camp.

Not since the early 1990’s when Seria A boasted players such as Gullit, Van Basten and Klinsmann has a league employed such world class quality from nations other than their own, and back then Italy was the place to be.

Although Premier League clubs self proclaim themselves to play in the ‘best league in the world,’ it very much appears that Spain is now the undisputed place to be, just like Italy was in the 90’s.

Italian football has suffered greatly since the well documented match fixing scandal in 2006, despite the national team winning the World Cup that summer. With the retirements of Pavel Nedved and Luis Figo this summer and Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, probably the biggest name left in Seria A, signalling his intent to leave Italy, it now appears that only Jose Mourinho can save the league from dropping below the likes of Germany as one of the most prestigious in Europe.

Meanwhile, the English league remains as strong as ever, despite the loss of Ronaldo. However, it does now appear inferior to the Spanish game as the new most expensive player in the history of the game suggested himself.

‘The Premier League is a very good competition, but I think that the Spanish league is going to have a little more quality because of the players that are arriving,’ said Ronaldo earlier in the week.

‘Both leagues are going to be very good, but I think that with Florentino Pérez’s signings the Spanish league is superior to the English. It’s going to be a magnificent competition in Spain this year. All the players have a lot of quality and the referees protect the players more.’

Real Madrid now have the previous two Ballon d’Or winners, Barcelona hold the European Cup and to top it off the Spanish national team top the FIFA rankings after a couple of years in which only the USA have inflicted defeat upon them.

What remains to be seen is what effect all of the above will have on the other top leagues. Franck Ribery has made no secret of his desire to move to Madrid from German giants Bayern Munich, while Karim Benzema has already moved to the Bernabeu from Lyon as French football loses it’s only major star player.

Incidentally, Benzema turned down the opportunity to go to Old Trafford in favour of Madrid, further strengthening Ronaldo’s case for now playing in a league ‘superior to the English.’

The Premier League could be the one that suffers most from this summer’s activity. Speculation continues to surround the futures of Liverpool midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano as Real and Barcelona continue to sniff around the pair respectively.

La Liga has continued to rob the Premier League of talents such as Thierry Henry, Alex Hleb and Arjen Robben in recent seasons, and the trend looks set to continue.

Barcelona won their third European Cup last night after they beat Manchester United 2-0 in Rome. It was a thoroughly efficient and dominant display and United had no answer to Barcelona’s superiority. Goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi were enough to see the Catalan club home, as United could not convert any thing that came their way.

It was United who started the better and Cristiano Ronaldo looked like a man on a mission, surging forward time after time and going close with a couple of efforts. It was after this ten-minute spell however that Barca started to come into the game. They scored completely against the run of play and it was a bitter blow that United never recovered from.

United cannot argue against the result. There were no bad decisions from the referee and any glaring misses or personal errors, they were simply outplayed by a team who were a lot better than them. Every time Barca got the ball after someone in a red shirt had sloppily given it away, it was about ten minutes until United had it back again.




Sir Alex Ferguson said after the final whistle: “We did not play as well as we can but you have to give Barcelona credit. Lionel Messi was not the problem, Xavi and Andres Iniesta kept the ball all night and made it difficult for us.”

It really was as simple as that. Barca’s midfield was so dominant that United had to work all the time off the ball to try and win it back, this clearly took a lot out of them physically and win they did eventually win possession they were not as sharp as they can be and they gave it straight back.

Many sides would have struggled to cope with the way Barca played so for United to think they are not good enough is the wrong thing to think. They clearly have it in them to make it all the way to the final not playing well so the next time they hit their straps in all stages of the Champions League, they will probably canter to victory.

Barca showed to everyone just how much they have improved from when they met United in the Champions League last season. They have a young and hungry manager who has a well-balanced side, who clearly want to go and win everything they can. The way they played was pretty much close to perfection and United are now left scratching their heads after what they thought was a well thought out game plan and good start.

Sir Alex is old and wise enough to know how to deal with disappointment and he will lift the team over the coming days. United now know what it feels like to suffer the heart break that Chelsea were feeling this time last year and they will want to do what they can to rectify it. This does not prove they aren’t good enough to win another Champions League, it could be the thing that gives them a kick in the backside.

Barcelona will travel to West London tonight buoyed by a rampant 6-2 victory over Real Madrid last weekend. However, the Spanish side will need a big team performance if they are going to get past a Chelsea side determined to make up for their loss last year in Moscow.

Chelsea may choose to go with just Didier Drogba up top with Nicolas Anelka looking set to miss out. Ashley Cole is likely to return after being banned for the first leg, which ended in a 0-0 draw, and German, Michael Ballack, could step straight back into the side.

Thierry Henry is a doubt for Barcelona as he hobbled off against Madrid and missed training with a knee injury. Barca also have defensive problems with Carlos Puyol suspended and Rafael Marquez injured. A lot of pressure will be placed on former Manchester United player, Gerrard Pique, who will no doubt have to martial a make shift defence.

Barca go into the tie backed by a big and fearsome performance. It is unlikely that Chelsea will be fazed by this side’s result last weekend but if they go to London with a clear game plan and play any where near like they did against Madrid then it could be a long night for Guus Hiddink’s men.

Chelsea’s home advantage could just see them through. They will be disappointed not to have scored an away goal last week but they are in with a real chance. If they can keep Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi quiet all night then Barca’s main influences will be muted.

Guus Hiddink insists that his side are ready and not afraid. He said: “Their 6-2 win was a respectable performance but every game is different. Having scored six it will give them a tremendous boost, but I think this game will be a lot different.”

Chelsea will be looking to their big players to see them through the tie. Captain, John Terry, must lead from the front and make sure his defence is organised, compact and tight. This will allow Frank Lampard and the other attacking players to flow forwards and create space and time for each other.

However, they must be wary of the counter attack. Manchester United’s third goal against Arsenal showed last night how clinical this piece of play can be with the right momentum and players in the process. If Barca get any foothold in the midfield then they have the players necessary to dominate this area of the pitch all night long.

Ironically it has the pre-match feeling of an English cup-tie and could well end up being that sort of game in terms of play and atmosphere. Chelsea will need the fans to get right behind the team and make Stamford Bridge as intimidating as they can. If Barca are allowed to settle then this could be disastrous.

It is a very hard game to call and for now Manchester United won’t care who wins. Whoever gets their nose in front early could press on and take the match. For neutrals it would be good to see yet again two big English sides in the final but Barca must not be counted out. They could easily produce a display that none of us expect and something that takes our breath away.

There was no fooling around with the big boys in Spain today (May 2nd) as Barcelona completely ripped apart Real Madrid in all aspects of the game, except yellow cards and fouls, and handed them their heads on a plate in a 6-2 demolition job. To make things worse, the shredding took place in front of 80,000 fans at the Bernebeu in Madrid. This should more-or-less end Madrid’s chances at catching Barcelona and taking a third straight Primera Division crown, as they are seven points back with four games remaining.

Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi both scored a pair with Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique chipping in one each. It was Real’s first loss since Barcelona beat them at the Nou Camp back in December.

Madrid has been on fire since then by earning 52 points out of a possible 54 points, but were stopped dead in their tracks today. Barca can sew up the title next weekend if they beat Villarreal and Madrid loses to Valencia.

Higuain actually gave Madrid in a lead when he scored his 19th league goal in the 14th minute, but about five minutes later Barcelona was up 2-1 and just kept on coming with attack after attack. Messi put Barca up 3-1 up in the 36th minute, but Real made a game of it by bringing it back to 3-2 in the 56th minute. It didn’t last long though as Henry made it 4-2 just over a minute later.

That seemed to be the killer blow and Messi made it 5-2 in the 75th minute and Pique added to the embarrassment in the 83rd with Barcelona’s 100th league goal of the season.

In other Spanish games Numancia crawled off the bottom of the standings by beating Malaga 2-0.  Meanwhile, Seville won 2-0 at Villarreal with goals from Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanoute.

In the English Premier League, Manchester United stayed on track to retain their title with a 2-0 win away at a woeful Middlesbrough, with Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park scoring. I don’t know how Gareth Southgate keeps his job there. He must have some compromising photos of somebody, because he just doesn’t have what it takes to be a big league manager. So it’s no surprise that Middlesbrough are in spot and almost guaranteed to go down into the Championship League where they belong. United are now six points clear of second place Liverpool and Chelsea, with the same amount of games played with Liverpool and a game in hand on Chelsea.

Chelsea managed to catch up to Liverpool with a 3-1 win at home over Fulham in a London derby. Arsenal embarrassed Portsmouth 3-0 at Fratton Park and Portsmouth had Noe Pamorot sent off. Tottenham managed to keep their home record looking pretty good with a 1-0 win over cellar dwellers West Brom. That doesn’t really say much though. Manchester City beat another less-than-mediocre team with a 3-1 win over Blackburn at home. Each team scored on a penalty. West Ham beat Stoke 1-0 at The Britannia and in another barn burner; Wigan and Bolton drew 0-0 at the JJB Stadium.

It is time again for one of the most historic and passionate derbies in world football as Barcelona make the trip to the Bernabeau to take in Real Madrid in La Liga.

With just four points separating Barca at the top and Madrid in 2nd then we are likely to see all of the aggression and quality that this match up can bring to the football table.

Religion and history have marked this match for the history of the derby so there is also an added spice for the fans. Barca may have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League return leg against Chelsea and therefore it could be the perfect time for Madrid to cash in and get vital points back on the board.

Madrid will be relying on their passion and team spirit to get them through this one as Barca arguably have the edge in terms of quality within their squad. The only injury for Barca is the loss of defender Rafael Marquez who went off with a knee problem in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

Madrid will be drawing on all of their experience and will look for a big performance from Raul. Whether or not their manager, Juande Ramos, decides to bring back Arjen Robben after a spell out of the side remains to be seen but his inclusion will not doubt add the smallest amount of fear into the Barcelona full backs.

Madrid will have to counter the influence of Xavi and Yaya Toure in the middle of the pitch if they are to impose themselves on this game. This is without mentioning Barca’s attacking line up of Theirry Henry, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o. However, Barcelona manager, Guardiola, may decide to rest one or two with Europe in mind. Bojan may well get a start, which will suit the Madrid defence regardless of his potential, and ability.

No doubt the home support for Madrid will be a big factor. Barca have what it takes to easily boss this game in the same manner as they did against Chelsea. However, Madrid will be lifted by the fact that they don’t really have any right to be in the position they are having looked out of the title race at the turn of the year.

A victory for Madrid will put them within another victory of gaining top spot from Barca and every single Madrid fan will be taking this one as passionately and importantly as any other El Classico match in recent times. Bookings are guaranteed but hopefully goals will be the talking point and not injuries or gamesmanship.

This arguably the best Barcelona side there has ever been but the fact this match is in between their European campaign could prove the difference. Barca may have the edge in terms of man-to-man match ups but with such an important trip to London this week it will be easy for them to take their eye off the ball and allow Madrid in for what could be a decisive victory.

There can be no big surprises at the fact that Real Madrid captain, Fabio Cannavaro, reportedly turned down the chance to go and earn some big money at Manchester City.

Cannavaro is just the latest rumoured target for the City merry go round in a football reality where money quite clearly doesn’t talk. Cannavaro’s decision comes without massive shock because once again City are trying to punch above their weight before they have solidified the foundations of the club.

After losing a regular starting place at Real Madrid under their manager, Juande Ramos, Cannavaro’s future has become uncertain. It seems a lot more likely that he will return to Juventus this summer to rejoin the club where he formed his reputation as one of the best defenders in the world.

He made just fewer than 100 appearances at Juventus and should he decide to return then it may turn out that it feels to the club like he had never been away. This personal satisfaction could be just the thing that sways the eventual decision.

You have to admire City’s ambition. Kaka, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and now Cannavaro have all been approached with unrealistic financial figures being offered to sway a decision they would otherwise not even think about.

Cannavaro said in the Italian media: “I didn’t want to have start from scratch again, not in a World Cup year. That’s why I rejected offers from Bayern Munich and Manchester City.”

The move once again defies the comments made by Manchester City defender, Nedum Onuoha, last month that players will join City this summer for football reasons. Well this instance proves that no amount of money or solid football foundations can prevent a player from going to where he wants to go.

City could have offered Cannavaro the same figures they were reported to have offered Kaka to leave AC Milan and he still would not have thought seriously about joining.

It all points to the fact that City will have to sign less high profile and more experienced players to build the success that will get the attention of better quality players.

This news comes just days after City were reported to be trying to draw Eto’o away from Barcelona in what was quite literally a nonsense attempt. Fair enough City have massive financial backing at the moment but the club’s owners have to realise that the football transfer market is not a candy shop where they can go and buy who they want.

Despite the financial influence in the modern game, money is not what makes day to day club routine tick. Comfort and job satisfaction are clearly valued by players such as Cannavaro a lot more than hundreds of thousands of pounds per week. Far from it, Cannavaro probably has a good couple of million in the bank to fall back on once he retires from the game in Italy.

There will be many more stories like this one but if City sign any big names this summer it will be because those players display more mercenary tendencies than a large amount of sporting ambition.