David Beckham reveals he was close to tears after Champions League draw threw up emotional United return

David Beckham revealed yesterday that he was close to tears after his AC Milan side were drawn against former club Manchester United in the Champions League.

The 34-year-old, starting his second five-month loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, is especially looking forward to March’s second leg in Manchester, having won the 1999 European Cup during his 10-year Old Trafford career.

‘When I heard about the tie I almost cried,’ Beckham said at his first press conference since arriving back on loan in Milan.

‘I love the club. It’s going to be an emotional night. I have never returned to Old Trafford in six years. It has always been a special place in my heart.’

Beckham said that top of his wish list for the new year would be to win the World Cup with England and also a title with Milan — either ‘the Champions League or the Serie A title’.

Beckham also joked about his new haircut — when asked if his personal hairdresser had followed him from Los Angeles he said: ‘I did it myself. I’m pretty handy with scissors and clippers.’

Beckham was also asked about the bulldog his wife Victoria had given him as a Christmas present.

He said: ‘I should have called him (Gennaro) Gattuso (Beckham’s aggressive AC Milan team-mate) but the dog’s a girl so the kids call him Coco as in Coco the Clown or Coco Chanel.’