Beckham dons anti-Glazer scarf on Man U homecoming

Mar 11, 2010 - 1:22 AM By ROB HARRIS AP Sports Writer

MANCHESTER, England(AP) -- After receiving a standing ovation and hearing his name chanted during his Old Trafford homecoming, David Beckham gave Manchester United fans a high-profile image as they try to oust the Glazer family.

As he left the field following AC Milan's 4-0 defeat in the European Champions League on Wednesday night, Beckham donned one of the green-and-gold protest scarves adopted by fans trying to force a sale of the club, which has debts of $1.1 billion.

While Beckham distanced himself from the motives behind the campaign, merely appearing to show solidarity by wearing the scarf - which had been lying on the field - is likely to make him a symbol of the anti-Glazer movement.

"I saw the scarf there. I put it round my neck," said Beckham, who is on loan at Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. "It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people, but I'm a Manchester United fan and I support the team.

"Obviously, you hear it week in and week out about the protests. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out."

Much has changed behind the scenes since Beckham left United in 2003 for Real Madrid. He moved on to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and currently is on his second January-to-end-of-season loan to AC Milan.

The 34-year-old midfielder entered in the 64th minute with Milan trailing 3-0, and the Italian club lost the home-and-home, total-goals series against the Premier League champions on 7-2 aggregate. He played for United from 1993-03, and this was his first match against United at Old Trafford.

"Coming back home to Old Trafford was a really emotional night," Beckham said. "I never underestimate the Manchester United fans. The way they supported me through my whole career is incredible, and tonight surprised me even more. It was an unbelievable reception.

"I didn't think I'd get here again. After a few years you think it's not going to happen seven years on, first time come back. As much as it was disappointing, it was really an incredible night."