The England midfielder, 34, is back at the San Siro for a second spell as he bids to seal a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

Beckham has denied reports that he would quit the game for good after this summer's tournament in South Africa and is hoping the 'Milan lab' can keep his career going in the same way they managed to keep Milan legends Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta playing past 40.

Beckham told ESPN: "The Milan lab has worked for so many years. The doctor said to me when I first arrived, 'you could actually play until you are 40', and I started laughing, and he said 'no, I am serious'.

"There are a lot of clubs and maybe managers who look at over-30-year-old players and think 'maybe we shouldn't buy them, maybe we shouldn't play them', but at Milan it's different, and it works.

"I'd love to be able to play until I'm 40. I've always been involved in football, it's my life. To be able to do it for as many years as that would be a dream."

Beckham remains contracted to the Los Angeles Galaxy and is still committed to developing football in the United States, where he still dreams of owning a Major League Soccer franchise.

Coming up next month for former Manchester United star Beckham is a return to Old Trafford for the first time since he left the club for Real Madrid in 2003.

"It was quite emotional because everyone knows how I feel about Manchester United. It's where I started my career and had so many great times and great memories," Beckham added.

"The fans got me through so much and no matter where I played, whether we were away or at home, the fans were literally incredible. And without them supporting me, who knows?"