Manchester United v AC Milan. Two of Europe’s most historic clubs going head to head. Rooney v Pato, Ronaldinho v Giggs, the Red Devils against the Rossoneri. But one figure remains the centre of focus as ever: David Beckham.

Never far from the glare of the media, Beckham’s return to Old Trafford for the first time since his move to Real Madrid in 2003 is naturally attracting a fair bit of attention. In the Times, Matt Dickinson offers an interesting perspective on the midfielder’s imminent reunion with Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester.

Describing Ferguson’s anger at having to continually field questions about the player he turned into a global superstar, Dickinson also details how Beckham is a credit to the Old Trafford system.

“Sir Alex Ferguson will sit down for a Champions League press conference today and wish he was anywhere else. Cleaning Mike Riley’s car, polishing Arsene Wenger’s boots ... anything but talk about David Beckham. ‘Christ, three seconds,’ the Manchester United manager grumbled when he walked straight into a question about the former United player in Milan three weeks ago. He was no less sour on his way out: ‘There’s another 30 minutes of my life wasted.’

“Ferguson’s cantankerous attitude may be understandable given that being interrogated incessantly about Beckham’s haircuts, wife, England performances and world player nominations was part of the reason he jettisoned him in 2003.

“However, it risks skipping over one of his greatest legacies at Old Trafford, something as impressive as filling the trophy cabinet throughout more than two decades. It is Ferguson’s achievement in turning United into not merely a football club, but an educational establishment; in producing not just better footballers, but better people. And Beckham, despite being cast out, is more than happy to add his glowing testimony.”

Dickinson concludes:

“Given half a chance, back in Manchester with AC Milan for tomorrow’s second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie, Beckham will talk about how some of Ferguson’s greatest work has been done far away from the first-team pitch, teaching teenage boys what it takes to reach the top.

“Even as his former manager snarls and changes the subject, Beckham will speak as he was taught to all those years ago - with humility and respect.”