Beckham blames missed chances for loss

(GSM) – David Beckham admitted Manchester United benefited from the chances that were missed by Milan in the first leg of their eight final clash.

Ronaldinho gave the hosts an advantage after only three minutes of play but Leonardo’s men failed to add to that lead. Wayne Rooney’s second half double swung the tie in United’s favour ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.

Clarence Seedorf pulled one back for Milan with five minutes remaining and former Manchester United midfielder Beckham believes there is still everything to play for.

“I think we played really well in the first half,” he told Sky Sports. “We went a goal up and had three really good chances.

“If we’d put them away obviously it would have been a different game but you have to put those chances away, especially against a team like Manchester United.

“In the second half the game opened up and they created a few more chances and they put them away.

“But Clarence getting the goal doesn’t finish the tie off.

“We’ll go to Manchester and it’s going to be a tough game, we know that.”

Beckham insists he was able to savour the occasion as he played against his former club for the first time since his departure from Old Trafford in 2003.

“It was all right,” he stated. “I enjoyed it. The fans were great to me. It’s great to play in front of a full stadium.”

Milan coach Leonardo agrees with Beckham that there’s still everything to play for despite the painful loss at the own San Siro.

“We did not deserve to lose this match,” said Leonardo

“But nothing is finished. We have to win 2-0 in England, which is certainly not beyond us.

“When we got into our stride, we dominated United.

“Indeed the first half could have ended 3-0 in our favour.”