ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United are ready to cope with AC Milan's experience

Record ID: 336141

  • Title: ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United are ready to cope with AC Milan's experience
  • Date: 16th February 2010
  • Summary: MILAN, ITALY (FEBRUARY 15, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SAN SIRO STADIUM ENTRANCE OF THE STADIUM MANCHESTER UNITED COACH SIR ALEX FERGUSON ENTERING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM FERGUSON TAKING A SEAT (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED COACH SIR ALEX FERGUSON SAYING (ASKED ABOUT DAVID BECKHAM ) : "That's not a question that you need to answer, because David left seven y
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2010 12:00
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  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3PP201XBM5JIXSQGK5B6G11RN
  • Story Text: Memories are still fresh in Manchester of United's semi-final defeat to Milan in 2007. " In the last game, the physical part was without question the real reason for our performance, " said Ferguson. " We had to play on the Saturday against Everton and on Tuesday, with the same team, against Milan. And Milan, of course, rested a lot of players for the Saturday game. They were very fresh, very prepared and deserved to win the match. But we are fresh this time and that makes a difference."
    Ferguson also believes his side has improved as they prepare for the first leg of the last sixteen match in the San Siro. He said : " There is a maturity we feel that's happened over the last two years away from home. There is a distinct change from when we were here in particular, the physical part of it in particular."
    Much has been made of David Beckham's first game against his old team. Reportedly he left Old Trafford for Real Madrid following a breakdown in relations with his manager. Ferguson refused to discuss the past.
    "That's not a question that you need to answer, " said Ferguson. " Because David left seven years ago, we move on in life. It's a different team, different players, that's what happens."
    Seven-times champions Milan, have never lost to the English champions at home or been beaten by them over two legs. Ryan Giggs, United's most experienced player, is out with a broken arm while Nemanja Vidic is also injured.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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