• Former United player wears scarf of anti-Glazer campaign
• 'I'm a United fan and I support the club. I always will' David Beckham attempted to distance himself from the campaign to oust the Glazer family from Manchester United despite leaving the pitch wearing one of the green and gold scarves that have come to symbolise the fans' protests against the club's owners. Beckham, afforded a stirring reception on his return to Old Trafford, picked up the scarf after it was thrown from the Stretford End on a night when Malcolm Glazer's sons, Joel and Avram, were inside the stadium to witness the scale of antipathy towards their ownership of the club. For someone of Beckham's standing to endorse the green and gold movement would be regarded as a major victory for the protestors but, as the former United player reflected on Milan's 4-0 defeat, the heaviest inflicted on them since the Champions League's conception, he said he did not want to be regarded as a figurehead for the campaign. "I'm a Manchester United fan and when I saw the scarf I wanted to put it round my neck," Beckham explained. "It's the old colours of United but, to be honest, it's not my business. I'm a United fan and I support the club. I always will, but it's got nothing to do with me how it's run. That's all to do with other people. I just support the team. I will always support the team." That may disappoint those supporters who regarded Beckham's final act before disappearing down the tunnel as a sign of public sympathy and solidarity. Beckham reflected on an "unbelievable" reaction from an Old Trafford crowd buoyed by a commanding performance from their team and two more goals from Wayne Rooney that left Sir Alex Ferguson wondering whether his leading scorer could emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's total of 42 last season. "It's a challenge," Ferguson said. "I was just happy for Wayne to reach 30, but he keeps on improving and he was sensational again tonight. It was just a continuation of the last two or three months – his form is just sensational. He's improved his movement in the box but he has also been practising a lot more this season than ever before, putting in extra work after training and I think he is getting the rewards of that." The most prolific season in Rooney's career now incorporates 21 goals in his last 21 games but Ferguson also enthused about the contribution of some of United's less celebrated players, most notably praising Park Ji-sung for the "discipline and intelligence that won us the game" as well as pinpointing Gary Neville's handling of Ronaldinho. Neville had been brought into the side to spare Rafael da Silva a repeat of his ordeal against Ronaldinho in the first leg and the former England international not only helped quell the threat of Milan's most inventive player but also set up Rooney for the first goal. "He's a remarkable man," Ferguson said. "When you've been out of the game [with injury] for a year and half it's not easy to come back and play every week at the age of 34 and now 35. He succeeded because of his will to succeed and that's really what Gary Neville is all about." As for Beckham, Ferguson was not surprised by the crowd's affection for the former England captain. "We expected that and he deserved that," the United manager said. "Most of our former players get that type of reception. Paul Ince unfortunately went to play for Liverpool so they weren't exactly throwing garlands at him when he came back but normally they always appreciate the players who have had great careers at this club." The only downside on the night for United was the news that Owen Hargreaves' planned comeback for the reserves against Manchester City tonight has been postponed.

• Benítez looking for a reaction after Wigan defeat
• Mmanager has consulted Valencia about French opponents Rafael Benítez has told his underachieving players to demonstrate "desire" at Lille in northern France this evening as Liverpool strive to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League. "We have to show we're ready to win," added Benítez before his team's first-leg, last-16 tie. Normally protective of his squad, Liverpool's manager was stung by Monday's Premier League defeat at Wigan, which has damaged the Merseysiders' hopes of a top-four spot and Champions League qualification. "We are looking for a reaction," said the Spaniard. "Everyone knows Wigan was a bad performance and a missed opportunity. "We know it's sometimes not so easy when you have another game so very quickly, but it can be very positive. Hopefully we'll react well and show we are a strong side with character. The players realise they have to perform with desire. They know they have to improve. I've had conversations with them." Liverpool now enjoy scant margin for error at home or abroad, where the aim now is to secure the Europa League trophy. "We don't have too much room for mistakes, we have to perform now," said Benítez, who has consulted friends at his former club, Valencia, for information about Lille. Although Valencia took four points from Lille in the group stage they reported the French side, currently fifth in Ligue 1, four points behind the leaders Bordeaux, to be dangerous opponents. Not for nothing are they known as the Mastiffs. "Lille are a good team," Benítez added. "People don't know too much about them but I've spoken to staff from Valencia and they say they have real ability and will give you a difficult game. "They are good at home, have great motivation and this is an important competition for them. That makes them even more dangerous." The Spaniard clearly feels attack may be his side's best form of defence. "We cannot be like we were at Wigan, we have to go out to score," he said. Liverpool's overlapping potential from full-back should be enhanced as Glen Johnson is likely to make a first start following recovery from injury. Yossi Benayoun, though, is doubtful with the ankle problem sustained at Wigan. With Lille aiming to mark their first meeting against Liverpool by reaching the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time, Johnson and company will need to be mindful of Yao Gervinho, the much-admired Ivory Coast striker. If Gervinho's future is excitingly uncertain, Liverpool are tired of endless talk about debt and a potential change of ownership at Anfield ."We have had in the past a situation that wasn't very clear," said Benítez, clearly fed up with the enduring impasse. "Now we have to do the same as we did then. We need to stick together and work hard. We have to concentrate on things on the pitch. "We talk about investors, we talk about the new stadium, we talk about all these same things for maybe one or two years now. Everybody is waiting for something to happen and expecting something to happen. When I decided to stay I decided to fight and the best for the club is for me to be concentrated on football and to try to get the best from the players."That's something I can do, and something I have to do for the fans. Inside the club, I will talk to the people who have a responsibility and we will try to do our best." The Football Association has confirmed Steven Gerrard will face no action following allegations the midfielder made a V sign towards the referee Andre Marriner during the defeat at Wigan. It is understood Marriner saw the gesture at the time but did not deem it worthy of further punishment. Under those circumstances, the FA cannot take retrospective action. Benítez said after the game he had not seen the incident and after reviewing it on video believes there is no case to answer. "Sometimes you move your fingers," said Benítez. "It was nothing." We are not considering it, it was nothing. All the players know they have to behave on the pitch. I was more worried about the silly fouls we were giving to Wigan." Lille: (4-3-3, probable): Landreau; Chedjou, Costa, Emerson, Beria; Mavuba, Cabaye, Balmont; Dumont, Frau, Hazard. Liverpool (4-2-3-1, probable): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insúa; Mascherano, Lucas; Aquilani, Gerrard, Kuyt; Torres. TV: Channel Five, kick-off 5.45pm

• Hong Kong businessman made loan to Fratton Park club
• 'If the club is alive my money is alive,' says Chainrai The Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, who took control of Portsmouth after the club defaulted on loans from him, insists he will get his money back. Pompey have debts totalling over £80million and became the first Premier League club to enter administration last month. But Chainrai told Bloomberg Television: "I don't feel I've lost the money. I feel the money is there, I can see it. If the club is alive my money is alive." The administrator, Andrew Andronikou, announced 85 job losses yesterday and promised more if the club are relegated, a near-certainty if the Premier League enforces a nine-point deduction for entering administration. Chainrai admitted his priority is to find a buyer for the 2008 FA Cup winners. "The main objective is to sell off the club to some consortium or institution or person, who would be able to be responsible enough to stabilise it and run it properly," he said. "I've heard through my lawyers that they are in conversations with several parties. They are deep into talks that could finalise in the very near future." Chainrai said he took up the offer of equity in the club only because the alternative was to lose the money Portsmouth had borrowed from him. "There were court cases against the club, it was a possibility that the club would have been wound up, and if that happened everybody would have lost their jobs," he said. "I would have lost my money and my main focus was to actually stabilise the club, to try and get my money back. The only way I could do it was to exercise my right to seize the shares."

• Real Madrid coach criticised on Twitter after replacing Brazilian
• Pellegrini 'trying to take the focus off own incompetence' Last night was not a good one for Manuel Pellegrini. The Real Madrid coach watched his side crash out of the Champions League to Lyon, received the dreaded vote of confidence from the club's director general and, finally, was described as a "coward" by Kaká's adviser following his substitution of the Brazilian at the Bernabéu. Diogo Kotscho also used his personal Twitter account to accuse Pellegrini of "trying to take the focus off [his] own incompetence" with the substitution of the player who joined Real for €65m (£56m) from Milan in the summer. Kaká was replaced by Raúl with 13 minutes to go. Kotscho was then bombarded with criticism, seemingly from Real fans, though he was keen to defend himself, tweeting: "[I] did not say anything to offend anyone. I gave my opinion at the moment and I will not erase," and "I accept everyone's opinion ... I gave [mine] generally about something that happens in football." Kaká told the Spanish newspaper Marca that he was not upset with the substitution. "I did not like the situation of the game," he said. "I was not angry about the change, but the scoreline. I was replaced by Raúl, who has a lot of experience in scoring."

• Everton chairman hopeful of fresh investment in the club
• Merseyside club still considering stadium options Everton's chairman, Bill Kenwright, is still hopeful there is a billionaire somewhere who wants to invest in the club. With the manager, David Moyes, working on a tight budget and the pressing need for a new stadium, Kenwright has long accepted the Goodison club require a huge injection of capital. However, he pointed out that even if there were a wealthy benefactor out there – and several parties are currently interested – the club had to learn lessons from other takeovers which had not gone exactly to plan. "The truth is Everton do need a billionaire. Of course that's a stock phrase, but we do need major investment," said Kenwright. "One of the difficulties of being a chairman who has had to use money as wisely as he possibly knows how, is that it's hard when you get bombarded, as I have been in the last three AGMs, with questions like 'Why can't we have what Newcastle have? West Ham? Portsmouth?' "I even got Notts County last year. A former Everton employee had gone there and evidently there was some rumour that I turned down Arab millions beforehand. "Am I hopeful? I've been hopeful before, and nothing's come of anything. But I will find that investment. Keith Harris from Seymour Pierce is probably the top football investment broker. He has been, alongside others, looking for us. Every name you see that has been out there looking for football clubs, we've spoken to them. We've had people in the Far East, America, Switzerland, Japan…" Kenwright added that although it pained him to admit it, leaving Goodison Park still represented the best option in terms of boosting capacity and gate receipts. But after the failure of the £400million Tesco-backed Kirkby project the club are looking at all available alternatives. "We continue to search for other sites, and we are looking at several Goodison redevelopment possibilities," Kenwright told the Liverpool Echo. "But the problem, as always, is cost. It's easier and cheaper to build a new stadium – but we continue seriously to consider the Goodison situation. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Goodison is the greatest ground in the world to me. But something has to happen."

This was a game too far for the Rossoneri, whose ponderous midfield was no match for their energetic hosts This was all too easy for Manchester United. If Leonardo's selection had given the impression that the visitors would show more of an athletic challenge than in the first leg, the opening half-hour dispelled that notion. The visitors' ageing pedestrians were knocked down by their hosts' energetic pressure. Milan actually enjoyed more of the ball in the first half but it came in no man's land and while two of their more direct passes made chances that were missed by Ronaldinho and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, too much of their play was slow and sideways. It was passive football. United, led by their brilliant frontman Wayne Rooney, had every opportunity to retreat and close the ball down, snuffing out Milan's chances of finding their forwards as a result (see diagram). The Italian team were so ponderous that United could move back behind the ball as Milan approached halfway. If Milan did find a way to the United box, they were confronted by a forest of bodies. Milan's lack of tempo was shocking. They looked polite in the tackle at times, so athletic were United in comparison, and those two long passes were exceptions as Milan were reluctant to hit longer balls in order to bypass the industrious, five-man home midfield. Rooney's early headed goal gave United security and a clear edge in midfield that they did not lose all night. The visitors appeared aimless. When Milan were on the ball at the back, United broke comfortably on their immediate opponents: Rooney took the lead (see diagram) by closing down Daniele Bonera, with Park Ji-sung following suit on Andrea Pirlo, Paul Scholes on Mathieu Flamini and Darren Fletcher on Massimo Ambrosini. On the outside, Gary Neville asserted himself, moving forward to taunt Ronaldinho's defensive work and expose the sluggish Marek Jankulovski. The Czech was once a raiding winger. Now he is a fading full-back. Rooney made splendid angles to receive the ball as Thiago Silva offered a poor impression of tight marking. Bonera was technically Thiago's security but the winner was always the lone United frontman. David Beckham could not bolster Milan's challenge. United were sharper and closed quicker and Milan simply disintegrated. This felt like a game too far for the Rossoneri – it certainly appeared to be the end of an era.

• Goalkeeper should be fit to face Blackburn in nine days' time
• Henrique Hilário to start against Internazionale Petr Cech is confident of returning to the Chelsea first team ahead of schedule for their Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers in nine days' time, his rehabilitation from a calf injury progressing encouragingly, although Henrique Hilário will be in goal against Internazionale for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie next week. The Czech tore a calf muscle having leapt unchallenged to claim a cross after an hour of the first leg at San Siro and departed in discomfort on a stretcher with his side trailing 2-1. A scan confirmed the injury and Chelsea were expected to be without their first-choice goalkeeper for a month, potentially ruling him out of four Premier League matches as well as FA Cup and Champions League ties. That diagnosis may now be revised, with a return for the televised game against Blackburn on 21 March more realistic after the 27-year-old made steady progress in recovery. His absence was keenly felt when Manchester City exploited Hilário's rustiness to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last month, the title challengers' first home defeat in 38 matches, but Chelsea will have to rely on their recently capped Portuguese goalkeeper as they seek to progress beyond Inter and into the Champions League quarter-finals. The 34-year-old Hilário, a perennial understudy to Cech since moving to west London from Madeira's Nacional in 2006, made his international debut as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory over China this month, though his opportunities to impress at club level have been limited. He kept a somewhat unconvincing clean sheet in the FA Cup at home to Stoke City last Sunday and will play against West Ham United on Saturday before facing José Mourinho's Inter side. Yuri Zhirkov, troubled by his own calf problems in recent weeks, returned to training with the first-team squad at Cobham today and may now be available for the visit of West Ham.

• Gunners captain has 0.5% chance of playing, says Wenger
• 'Unless a miracle happens, he will not play' Arsène Wenger accepts it will take a "miracle" for the Arsenal captain Cesc Fábregas to be fit for Saturday's Premier League trip to Hull. The Spain midfielder missed the midweek Champions League victory over Porto because of the hamstring problem which had seen him hobble out of the win against Burnley. Wenger will not take any risks at the KC Stadium in Saturday's late kick-off. "His chances of playing are 0.5% – that means unless a miracle happens, he will not play," said Wenger. "At the moment, Cesc is out of Saturday's game. We have a little doubt about [Tomas] Rosicky, but we will check that tomorrow morning. Nobody else is back, but we will lose [Alex] Song, because he is suspended." With William Gallas still out with a calf problem, Wenger will be hoping the veteran Sol Campbell can shrug off the effects of cramp to face relegation-threatened Hull. However, Bacary Sagna is struggling with an ankle injury. "Campbell looks better than expected today. Sagna has an ankle problem but we will assess that tomorrow," said Wenger. "We will see how it develops, who is available, who I can play. We know we have 48 hours to prepare for this game and it is quite needed." Gallas is out of contract at the end of the season, and as such is free to talk to any clubs, with Roma reported to be tracking the former Chelsea defender who turns 33 in August. Wenger, though, is confident the Frenchman will extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium. "I am not concerned," said the Arsenal manager. "He is under contract until 30 June. We have not found an agreement yet. I meet his agents again next Thursday and we will try to find a solution." Wenger added: "I do not know if he has spoken to Roma, but he is out of contract and can talk to whom he wants. William is speaking to us and our desire is to keep him here. I think he wants to stay here."