Beckham: United are favourites against Inter

Beckham featured for AC Milan in their 1-0 over Cagliari on Sunday (Photo: K Beckles)

David Beckham has backed his former club to beat Inter Milan and make it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Both teams enter the first leg at the San Siro in good form. Inter Milan who beat AC Milan a week ago, recorded a 2-1 victory over Bologna on Saturday. Manchester United also overcame Blackburn Rovers with a 2-1 win.

And both teams have their fair share of injury problems. Inter are missing Walter Samuel and Marco Materazzi at the back and will instead look to Christian Chivu, Nicolas Burdisso, or Ivan Corboda.

Offensively Inter look strong. Boss Jose Mourinho has plenty of options to choose from: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Adriano, Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz and Mario Balotelli.

Adriano was poor against Bologna after a good display against AC Milan the previous match. However Mourinho may decide to continue with the Brazilian powerhouse, with his sheer physical presence up front certain to cause problems for a weakened Manchester United.

Manchester United will be without their solid centre back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Vidic is suspended and will return for the second leg at Old Trafford. It looks likely that United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson will call upon John O’Shea to partner Ferdinand, despite O’Shea carrying a heel injury.

Gary Neville and Wes Brown are both ruled out due to injury. Ferguson has included Rafael Da Silva, Johnny Evans and Adam Eckersly in his squad. The lack of experienced cover may haunt Manchester United at the San Siro with the experience of Inter’s front-line.

David Beckham has backed his former club to overcome Italian champions Inter:

“United are favourites in my eyes but I am biased. The strength of their squad and the way they have been playing recently, they are on a run where they look unbeatable and I hope that continues.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Manchester United’s players that the two-legged tie against Inter Milan will be far from easy. However he believes Manchester United’s squad has more experience than their Italian counterparts and says this will give them the extra edge:

“They’re a team with very experienced players, but we also have our aces and great players. We have a more experienced team, we’re the reigning champions. ”