Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson not expecting David Beckham to start for Milan at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects David Beckham will be on the bench when his new club AC Milan kick off at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Beckham arrived in Manchester to a great fanfare on Tuesday afternoon, but Ferguson believes the 34-year-old will have to wait to make his long-awaited return to action on the Old Trafford pitch.

"I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team.

"He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game."

But the Scot is well aware of the danger Beckham can pose to his former side, if and when he is called into action.

"He will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic," he said.

"That is the threat. There are a lot of threats in their team of course, but we are well aware of David's."

"It was a worry with Rooney," Ferguson admitted.

"Looking at him last Friday I didn't think he had any chance.

"But he has progressed and he plays and we are pleased at that because given his form at the moment I am sure that whatever match he went into he would be an absolute threat to anyone."