David Beckham is warning the Old Trafford faithful that former fans’ favourite Cristiano Ronaldo is ready dump Manchester United out of the Champions League in Tuesday’s second-leg clash.
Beckham, a treble-winner in 1999, knows more than most about returning home to the Theatre of Dreams having left the Red Devils for Real Madrid in 2003.
Ronaldo, who himself swapped United for La Liga in 2009, scored in the first-leg draw at the Bernabeu and Beckham insists returning to Manchester will inspire the Portuguese superstar.
“Many things inspire great players and him going back will be a special night,” said Beckham.
“United has a special place in his heart, the fans love him and it will be a great occasion. You enjoy going back and I am sure it will inspire him.
“It will be a great game to watch as United did very well at the Bernabéu and they are two great teams with great players, so it’s difficult to call.”
Beckham, who joined French club Paris St-Germain in January, could be set to make his first Champions League appearance this season during their second-leg, last-16 meeting with Valencia.
Progression for the French league leaders means the former Three Lions captain could potentially face one of three old clubs, AC Milan, United or Mourinho’s Madrid.
And Beckham is confident his new side can book a spot in the competition’s quarter-finals.
“The competition still has the big guns and it is nice to be in it,” he explained. “It’s exciting to be back and this will be a big game for PSG.
“We’ve got ourselves in a good position by winning away, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy here – as long as we play well and work hard, we’ll be OK.
“People are talking about a shift in power with Barcelona having lost their first game against Milan, but no one should ever doubt their players even now.
“They have a home game to come and it doesn’t matter if they’re two or three down – I know what it’s like to play against them when they’re up against it and it’s not easy.”
Image courtesy of Canal +, via YouTube, with thanks
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
