Beckham wants to face United

David Beckham is hoping to play against his former club Manchester United in the Champions League when he joins AC Milan in the new year.

While United will be seeded for the knockout stages, Milan will not be heading into Friday's draw in Nyon. That means United are among six teams they could be drawn against.

"I would really like to face my former team in the next round," said Beckham, who will join AC Milan on a six-month loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy when the transfer window re-opens.

"Since I left (United) in 2003, I have not returned to play at Old Trafford.

"Seven years have gone by and I would like for that to happen.

"Me against Manchester, it would be beautiful, wouldn't it?"

The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1998,  spent a decade with the Red Devils before moving to Real Madrid, and knows how challenging the tie against last season's runners-up would be.

"It would be very difficult," said Beckham to Gazzetta dello Sport. "But it will be very exciting.

"I like big challenges and I would love to play that type of game.

"I would love to win the Champions League because it is a special competition, where the strongest teams compete."