Sir Alex Ferguson is among other things, a keen student of history. In Dublin recently he told a packed Trinity college audience that he always has three or four history books on his bedside locker. It helps him relax, he explained. He also likes to wonder what might have been. Shay Given could have been a United player he enlightened but his father wanted him to join Celtic. Pressed on who was the best player he had never signed, Paul Gascoigne was the reply. As he focuses his mind on reaching his third champions league final in a row this May two men who fit quite comfortably in the what was and what might have been categories stand in his way. Ronaldinho, the maddening, yet mercurial Brazilian who came so close to joining United and David Beckham, a mainstay of arguably the finest United side ever in ninety-nine now don the red and black of Milan. Ronaldinho has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts with the Rossineri, while Beckham has eased seamlessly into his favoured right flank. Both are crucial to Milan’s hopes starting on Tuesday.
Ronaldinho’s form much like his bag of tricks can leave you dizzy and confused. He seemed to be warming up nicely this season. The goals, assists and toothy grin had all made a welcome return but the old fire was brutally extinguished by Inter in last month’s derby. The Brazilian was shackled effortlessly by their ten men and rubber-stamped his meek display by missing a stoppage-time penalty. He has continued this slump in the past month and the news of Brazilian coach Dunga failing to name him in his squad to face the Republic of Ireland has only added to his woe. Indeed such is Milan’s worries about his form the perennial lady’s man and sometime Italian prime minister Slivo Berlusconi has reportedly telephoned Ronaldinho to rebuke him for his current form and to remind him of the importance of the upcoming clash with United. His name may not bring dread to the opposition like it did in his Barca heyday but one suspects the bright lights of Europe will inspire him. Manchester United have had their problems at right back this season. The youngster Rafael has demonstrated growing maturity and confidence but struggled badly against the forceful Craig Bellamy. Wes Brown has played more at centre-back while the legs of Gary Neville appear to be failing. Should Ronaldinho be presented with enough chances to face any of these then he is well capable of punishing the English champions.
On the opposite flank to Ronaldinho, David Beckham will probably stand. In many ways he is the Brazilian’s opposite, all perfect feature’s with none of the staccato brilliance, more the mundane efficiency. He is also assured of a place in South Africa should his fitness remain. His unflinching stamina has eased a little and any semblance of pace has long gone but his right foot retains all of its potency. The quicksilver Patrice Evra is more than a match for any winger but Beckham will not engage him one on one. A quick shift to his right and a customary curler will take flight. Milan have other threats but it’s the lethal former Parisian and affable Londoner that Sir Alex Ferguson will need to counter if he is to douse the Italian fire.
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