DAVID Beckham is expected to be greeted with a "fantastic reception" if he makes his return to Old Trafford after his AC Milan side were drawn with Manchester United in the Champions League last 16.
The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will be on loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy when the sides meet over two legs in February and March.
United's director of communications Phil Townsend welcomed the draw.
"It will be fantastic," he told Sky Sports News. "I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it's what the Champions League is all about.
"He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing."
Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham expects Beckham to be welcomed with open arms.
"Without a doubt, he was a top player, an icon, the supporters will love him coming back to say his goodbyes and see him on the pitch," said the former England striker.
AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini was confident the Rossoneri could repeat their 2007 semi-final victory over United.
He told Eurosport: "It's a difficult tie, we know that but we can be boosted by the result the last time we played them. That year we went on to win the competition.
"They are still two great teams but they are very different to 2007. Now there is no Kaka, no (Cristiano) Ronaldo and no (Paolo) Maldini."
On Beckham's return, he said: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."
Chelsea take on former manager Jose Mourinho after being drawn against Inter Milan. Mourinho led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before surprisingly leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.
The 46-year-old signed a three-year contract with Inter Milan in 2008 and completed his first season in Italy by winning the Serie A title.
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink fancies his old team's chances "big time" despite being paired with Italy's top side.
"It's a perfect tie, you couldn't have asked for any more," he said.
"I do fancy Chelsea big time, obviously it's a big tie but this competition is about playing against the best. If you want to win this competition you have to be able to beat teams like this."
As for the return of the 'Special One', Hasselbaink said: "Mourinho is absolutely loved at Chelsea.
"He's going to get an absolutely magnificent reception but Chelsea still have to win."
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay was enthused by the high-profile clash.
"I'm sure Jose will get a fantastic reaction from our fans," he said. "But at the end of the day he is the opposition and we'll look to go through over the two games."
Former Portugal and Inter forward Luis Figo said of his compatriot Mourinho's return to Chelsea: "He must be happy to return to a place he was so successful and spent a very good time.
"On both sides I think it will be a great return for him and I hope at the end we can be much more happy than Chelsea."
Arsenal will take on Porto with all three English clubs playing the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.
Arsenal secretary David Miles believes Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will be satisfied with a two-legged tie against Porto.
"I think he will be relatively pleased," he said. "We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well."
AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini was confident the Rossoneri could repeat their 2007 semi-final victory over United.
He told Eurosport: "It's a difficult tie, we know that but we can be boosted by the result the last time we played them. That year we went on to win the competition.
"They are still two great teams but they are very different to 2007. Now there is no Kaka, no (Cristiano) Ronaldo and no (Paolo) Maldini."
On Beckham's return, he said: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."
Gandini played down the suggestion that playing the second leg in England would prove a disadvantage.
"I don't think so," he added.
"This club has proven it can win in any stadium. We won at Old Trafford (in 2007) and we have won at Real Madrid and Marseille in this season's qualifying group.
"In fact, we only got two points at home in our group so it's better to play the second leg away."
mfl
United's director of communications Phil Townsend welcomed the draw.
"It will be fantastic," he told Sky Sports News. "I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it's what the Champions League is all about.
"He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing."
mfl
Bayern Munich were happy with a draw which they believe gives them a good chance of reaching the last eight of the tournament.
The record German champions will meet Fiorentina - a side they beat 3-0 in the group stage of the competition last season.
"There were certainly tougher draws in there, but this is a draw that we can cope with," Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's official website, www.www.fcbayern.t-home.de.
"But we certainly cannot under-estimate them. We have a good record against Fiorentina, but we cannot make the error of believing that we are top favourites in this tie.
"They have beaten Liverpool twice and beat Lyon in Florence.
"Our aim is to go through and we can be happy with the draw and we would be well advised to not only take our opponents seriously, but to take them very, very seriously."
Bayern booked their place in the last 16 in dramatic style with a 4-1 away win at Juventus on the final matchday.
Therefore, facing another Italian opponent also brought a smile to the face of coach Louis van Gaal.
"I am not unhappy," he said.
"I think a tougher draw was possible.
"Fiorentina is a typical Italian team - well organised and with a good coach and a world star in Adrian Mutu.
"We have beaten Juventus and I think that the players will bring the confidence from that game with them into this one.
"It could have been worse."
Bayern host Fiorentina on February 17 with the return leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi scheduled to take place on March 9.
mfl
Sevilla were paired alongside CSKA Moscow - a draw which satisfied coach Manolo Jimenez.
He said: "You need to be respectful of any team, but I'd prefer CSKA ahead of Inter.
"We could knock out the Italians but CSKA could also knock out Inter and us.
"In football you have to compete first and then show if you are better. I don't like to feel superior so there is no relaxing.
"CSKA are an historic team in Russia.
"The biggest handicap could be the surface, which is an artificial pitch. They are a team who have finished their league and are going to have time to prepare for the match and will be able to watch us."
mfl
Stuttgart have played down their chances of reaching the quarter-finals after being drawn against holders Barcelona.
The Swabians will play host to the Spanish giants, who have accounted for fellow Bundesliga sides Schalke and Bayern Munich in the last two seasons, on February 23 with the return leg at the Nou Camp on March 17.
However, director of sport Horst Heldt does not hold out much hope of his side making it third time lucky for a German side to knock Barca out of the competition.
"We knew we were going to get a big name and by drawing Barcelona, we have got one of the technically strongest team around," he told the club's official website, www.vfb-stuttgart.de.
"We are going to be the rank outsiders against the defending champions."
Stuttgart coach Christian Gross faced Barca last season when he was in charge of Basle.
He lost 5-0 in Switzerland before obtaining a respectful 1-1 draw in Spain, although that result still saw Barca qualify for the second round with two group games to spare.
mfl
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud is happy to have avoided both Milan teams but insists Olympiacos will still pose a tricky test.
Les Girondins have impressed in Europe this season and finished top of a group that included heavyweights Bayern Munich and Juventus.
However, Triaud has urged his players not to take anything for granted.
"Together with Porto, the Milan teams were the ones we didn't want to be thrown against," he told L'Equipe. "But this is not an easy draw.
"It's a draw that pleases us. But they must be thinking the same about us...it's better to be thrown against Bordeaux than Chelsea or Real Madrid."
Midfielder Alou Diarra has also warned his team-mates against complacency.
"Even if they are not the most prestigious name, they are not there by chance," he said. "The trip to Athens will be very heated, with an ebullient set of fans, full of passion.
"We have to forget what we did in the group stages.
"That's the risk, to think it's in the pocket.
"Olympiacos are a great club with a lot of experience."
mfl
United's director of communications Phil Townsend welcomed the draw.
"It will be fantastic," he told Sky Sports News. "I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it's what the Champions League is all about.
"He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing."
Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham expects Beckham to be welcomed with open arms.
"Without a doubt, he was a top player, an icon, the supporters will love him coming back to say his goodbyes and see him on the pitch," said the former England striker.
AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini was confident the Rossoneri could repeat their 2007 semi-final victory over United.
He told Eurosport: "It's a difficult tie, we know that but we can be boosted by the result the last time we played them. That year we went on to win the competition.
"They are still two great teams but they are very different to 2007. Now there is no Kaka, no (Cristiano) Ronaldo and no (Paolo) Maldini."
On Beckham's return, he said: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."
Chelsea take on former manager Jose Mourinho after being drawn against Inter Milan. Mourinho led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before surprisingly leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.
The 46-year-old signed a three-year contract with Inter Milan in 2008 and completed his first season in Italy by winning the Serie A title.
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink fancies his old team's chances "big time" despite being paired with Italy's top side.
"It's a perfect tie, you couldn't have asked for any more," he said.
"I do fancy Chelsea big time, obviously it's a big tie but this competition is about playing against the best. If you want to win this competition you have to be able to beat teams like this."
As for the return of the 'Special One', Hasselbaink said: "Mourinho is absolutely loved at Chelsea.
"He's going to get an absolutely magnificent reception but Chelsea still have to win."
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay was enthused by the high-profile clash.
"I'm sure Jose will get a fantastic reaction from our fans," he said. "But at the end of the day he is the opposition and we'll look to go through over the two games."
Former Portugal and Inter forward Luis Figo said of his compatriot Mourinho's return to Chelsea: "He must be happy to return to a place he was so successful and spent a very good time.
"On both sides I think it will be a great return for him and I hope at the end we can be much more happy than Chelsea."
Arsenal will take on Porto with all three English clubs playing the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.
Arsenal secretary David Miles believes Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will be satisfied with a two-legged tie against Porto.
"I think he will be relatively pleased," he said. "We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well."
AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini was confident the Rossoneri could repeat their 2007 semi-final victory over United.
He told Eurosport: "It's a difficult tie, we know that but we can be boosted by the result the last time we played them. That year we went on to win the competition.
"They are still two great teams but they are very different to 2007. Now there is no Kaka, no (Cristiano) Ronaldo and no (Paolo) Maldini."
On Beckham's return, he said: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."
Gandini played down the suggestion that playing the second leg in England would prove a disadvantage.
"I don't think so," he added.
"This club has proven it can win in any stadium. We won at Old Trafford (in 2007) and we have won at Real Madrid and Marseille in this season's qualifying group.
"In fact, we only got two points at home in our group so it's better to play the second leg away."
mfl
United's director of communications Phil Townsend welcomed the draw.
"It will be fantastic," he told Sky Sports News. "I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it's what the Champions League is all about.
"He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing."
mfl
Bayern Munich were happy with a draw which they believe gives them a good chance of reaching the last eight of the tournament.
The record German champions will meet Fiorentina - a side they beat 3-0 in the group stage of the competition last season.
"There were certainly tougher draws in there, but this is a draw that we can cope with," Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's official website, www.www.fcbayern.t-home.de.
"But we certainly cannot under-estimate them. We have a good record against Fiorentina, but we cannot make the error of believing that we are top favourites in this tie.
"They have beaten Liverpool twice and beat Lyon in Florence.
"Our aim is to go through and we can be happy with the draw and we would be well advised to not only take our opponents seriously, but to take them very, very seriously."
Bayern booked their place in the last 16 in dramatic style with a 4-1 away win at Juventus on the final matchday.
Therefore, facing another Italian opponent also brought a smile to the face of coach Louis van Gaal.
"I am not unhappy," he said.
"I think a tougher draw was possible.
"Fiorentina is a typical Italian team - well organised and with a good coach and a world star in Adrian Mutu.
"We have beaten Juventus and I think that the players will bring the confidence from that game with them into this one.
"It could have been worse."
Bayern host Fiorentina on February 17 with the return leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi scheduled to take place on March 9.
mfl
Sevilla were paired alongside CSKA Moscow - a draw which satisfied coach Manolo Jimenez.
He said: "You need to be respectful of any team, but I'd prefer CSKA ahead of Inter.
"We could knock out the Italians but CSKA could also knock out Inter and us.
"In football you have to compete first and then show if you are better. I don't like to feel superior so there is no relaxing.
"CSKA are an historic team in Russia.
"The biggest handicap could be the surface, which is an artificial pitch. They are a team who have finished their league and are going to have time to prepare for the match and will be able to watch us."
mfl
Stuttgart have played down their chances of reaching the quarter-finals after being drawn against holders Barcelona.
The Swabians will play host to the Spanish giants, who have accounted for fellow Bundesliga sides Schalke and Bayern Munich in the last two seasons, on February 23 with the return leg at the Nou Camp on March 17.
However, director of sport Horst Heldt does not hold out much hope of his side making it third time lucky for a German side to knock Barca out of the competition.
"We knew we were going to get a big name and by drawing Barcelona, we have got one of the technically strongest team around," he told the club's official website, www.vfb-stuttgart.de.
"We are going to be the rank outsiders against the defending champions."
Stuttgart coach Christian Gross faced Barca last season when he was in charge of Basle.
He lost 5-0 in Switzerland before obtaining a respectful 1-1 draw in Spain, although that result still saw Barca qualify for the second round with two group games to spare.
mfl
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud is happy to have avoided both Milan teams but insists Olympiacos will still pose a tricky test.
Les Girondins have impressed in Europe this season and finished top of a group that included heavyweights Bayern Munich and Juventus.
However, Triaud has urged his players not to take anything for granted.
"Together with Porto, the Milan teams were the ones we didn't want to be thrown against," he told L'Equipe. "But this is not an easy draw.
"It's a draw that pleases us. But they must be thinking the same about us...it's better to be thrown against Bordeaux than Chelsea or Real Madrid."
Midfielder Alou Diarra has also warned his team-mates against complacency.
"Even if they are not the most prestigious name, they are not there by chance," he said. "The trip to Athens will be very heated, with an ebullient set of fans, full of passion.
"We have to forget what we did in the group stages.
"That's the risk, to think it's in the pocket.
"Olympiacos are a great club with a lot of experience."
mfl
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Socceroos Abroad: European Play-off Round Draw Results
Late change puts 5 Matildas in Champions League quarterfinals
