Galaxy 1 New England 0

Beckham watched the game from the comfort of a corporate hospitality suite as New England visited the Home Depot Centre. It took Edson Buddle just 5 minutes to score the only game of the match with his head from Landon Donovan free kick.
Meanwhile speculation continues over whether Beckham will be part of the England back-room staff at the World Cup or take a lucrative deal to be a TV pundit. Initially the idea seemed to be quashed by the Beckham camp, but apparently offers are still being made and considered.

Parma 1 Milan 0

A less-than-effective Milan have to accept a blow to their chances of climbing the Serie A league table by losing 1-0 to Parma yesterday, the goal coming in the final minute of the game. Pirlo was dismissed for a foul, Ronaldinho was also booked and the pair will miss the game against Lazio on Sunday.

In the meantime, Beckham heads back to LA to recover from his injury, flying out from Heathrow Airport with his father.
Victoria Beckham had also been at the same airport earlier catching a flight to Moscow.
David Beckham and his dad safely arrived in LA and were able to take the boys out for a meal last night. The long road to recovery starts here...

Milan1 Napoli 1

Whilst the world of Beckham is in a bit of a turmoil since last Sunday's injury, Milan are left to battle on without him. Ronadinho turned 30 this week and Milan failed to impress against Napoli conceding after just 14 minutes, but equalising through Inzaghi just 12 minutes later.
In the meantime, Becks plays his part for Comic Relief as part of the 'Smithy' sketches with James Corden as the two men have a pamper session together - the sketch was recorded some weeks ago before the recent injury sidelined Beckham.
Milan play next on this coming Wednesday evening against Parma in the Serie A.

Beckham on the way 'home'

Having departed Finland for Blighty with Mrs Beckham yesterday - it is expected that this will be a stop-over on their way back to America where David is likely to recuperate with the family and under the care of LA Galaxy, although still temporarily contracted to AC Milan. In the meantime, the Poet Laureate has been inspired to write about the injury likening it to the Greek tragedy of Achilles.
Speculation is now rife as to who Capello will take instead of Beckham and I have to agree with Alan Shearer. Shearer acknowledges that Beckham would surely have been included in the squad as an impact substitute, and makes the point that coupled with Rooney's new-found ability to score with his head, the combination could have been extremely successful. However, we are now looking probably at Lennon and Walcott rather than Wright-Phillips, all three players have speed and tenacity, but Lennon and Walcott have the edge I believe.
The other speculation has been about what David Beckham will be doing when the games commence, and it is increasingly looking like he will be part of the England back-room team. Apparently offers from British television to provide commentary or punditry have been rejected out of hand. It is most likely that we will see Beckham alongside Capello in the dug-out offering support, encouragement and the benefit of his considerable experience.

Beckham recovers after achilles tendon operation

David Beckham opted to spend another night in Turku, Finland so that surgeons could check on progress today.
In an unprecedented move, it has been suggested that England manager Cappello is poised to offer David a non-playing role in the England squad going to South Africa as acknowledgment of the value of his presence, and also as a recognition of the lengths that Beckham has gone to in order to win a place in the team.
In the meantime, the eyes of the tabloids are firmly directed towards Finland, where David is reported to be in relatively good spirits even after absorbing the news that his injury will rule him out of the forthcoming World Cup.

Beckhams operation successfully completed

Beckham has already undergone the expected surgery in Finland today: "So far everything is fine, the operation went smoothly and nicely."" surgeon Dr. Sakari Orava said. When questioned about the likelihood of Beckham playing in the World Cup, he said "No, I don't think so... healing takes a long time,".
It is likely that Beckham's foot will be in a cast for six to eight weeks, after which he can start physiotherapy. Fabio Capello has been in touch and has said publicly that he hopes Beckham will be recovered enough to figure in the build up to the 2012 European qualifiers.
There is still a question-mark over whether he would have been included in the World Cup squad, but instinct tells you that Capello was at least, seriously considering the option. Milan have expressed their hope that Beckham will be able to play with them again next year, but time will tell whether there is any realistic hope, the next step will be to prepare to join Galaxy when he is fit enough. In all likelihood, 115 caps will be the figure that goes down in the Beckham career record book, but don't write David Beckham off just yet...

Beckhams World Cup Dream Could be Over

This was a scene that any Beckham fan does not want to see, with no-one near him, David Beckham pulls up, passes the ball away, hobbles then crumples to the floor to be picked up by stretcher-bearers after over 90 minutes played on Sunday night. Ironically, this is the first time for weeks that Beckham has had a sniff of playing more than 15 minutes. Despite a couple of nasty clashes in the game that left him with a badly cut face in the first half, he had given a display that left no-one in any doubt that he was match-fit.
The injury is likely to be a torn achilles tendon, on which it is expected he will have surgery this week. Reports from Milan indicate that he may not play for six months ruling him out of the World Cup. Beckham is reported to be distraught, and many of his Milan team-mates have taken little consolation from Sundays victory in light of the seriousness of the injury. He was hoping to be the first England player to go to four consecutive World Cups, this seems hardly likely now.

AC Milan 1 AC Chievo Verona 0

At last, Beckham earns a place in the starting line-up for the first time since Manchester United visited the San Siro, possibly a place earned by his evident commitment in the return leg at Old Trafford. The game seemed evenly matched in the early stages, neither side willing to give any quarter as tackles went flying in. After about ten minutes, Beckham went in bravely to head the ball and caught a boot in the face which gave him a deep cut. However, Beckham was keen to resume the game after minimal treatment. Despite a couple of free-kicks in what would be regarded as 'Beckham territory', it is clear that he does not seem to be first choice for free-kicks but is nonetheless, still taking corners. He did however get to take the kick on 34 mins when he himself was fouled over on the right wing. A game pattern was emerging as the half progressed, Milan were disappointing but threatening to dominate whilst Chievo seemed intent on amassing as many bookings as possible with three in about a ten-minute spell. The ref must have felt obliged to even things up and so booked the very next Milan foul regardless of the lack of any bad intent.
On about 42 minutes Chievo gave Milan a warning by surging forward and hitting the cross-bar, Abate was injured in the attempt on goal. Whilst Abate was off the field, Chievo again caught Milan on the break, and this time had the ball in the back of the net, but were unfortunate to have a goal ruled out as off-side. A tired-looking Milan side struggled on to half time and went into the break at 0-0 after three added minutes.
Early in the second half, Beckham is still showing his commitment by playing high up the field and winning the ball. A Beckham corner placed expertly on Ronaldinho's head went wide, and on 56 minutes, Ronaldinho hit the post with a fine effort shortly before Inzaghi came on for Gatusso.
Milan pile the pressure on Chievo and are threatening once more to dominate and control the game as the hour mark ticks around. Chievo are still threatening on the break and Pinzi wastes a chance in front of goal with a bad contact heading wide. Beckham is stamping his presence all over this game, meanwhile Seedorf is warming up on the sidelines.
Inzaghi had a golden chance to nick a goal on 73 mins, but took a tumble when he could have taken it around the keeper. Finally it's Pirlo that makes way for Seedorf, but of all the Milan palyers, it is Borriello up front that appears to be sluggish, as he has right from the first half. Again on 80 minutes, Chievo issued another warning with a fine cross that failed to get a contact, in return Ronaldinho narrowly missed once again. In the meantime, Beckham is popping up all over the pitch and challenging for the ball like a terrier, even getting on the end of a Ronaldhino cross in the box, but the keeper effectively smothered the chance. Beckham ended up being stretchered off with an injury to his left ankle moments before Seedorf finally buried the ball in the back of the net - At last Milan are back in the Serie A title race despite their failure to take this game by the scruff of the neck. Even Inzaghi seemed to want to take another touch when he should be taking the first chance.
The game ended at 1-0 and Milan can count themselves lucky to finally secure the three points - we wait to see whether the injury to Beckham will impact on his chances to feature in the world Cup.

Manchester United 4 AC Milan 0 (agg 7-2)

Beckham starts on the bench for his much-hyped return to Old Trafford and Manchester United came out fighting with a few early efforts from Rooney, but Milan replied with a couple of chances of their own all within the first 10 mins. It was only a few minutes later when Rooney put United 4-2 ahead on aggregate with another headed goal from a cross by captain Gary Neville. With the pressure of extra goals needed, Milan continued to pile the pressure on United. Both teams finished the frist half strongly, but United seem able to contain Milan and prevent them from playing the game their way. The half ends 1-0 to United, with Milan needing to score three to win the tie.
The second half gets under way with Seedorf coming into the game, but Rooney strikes again in the first minute to surely put the tie out of Milan's reach. Fed by Nani from the left, this time Rooney was clear to slip the ball past Abbiati in the Milan goal and watch it trickle over the line. Meanwhile Beckham is warming up in earnest, as Milan contemplate their predicament at 5-2 down on aggregate. On 58 minutes United added to Milan's woe through Park who managed to strike across goal from close range beating the keeper for 3-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.
Beckham finally joins the fray with a little under 30 minutes left, shortly before Rooney and Neville leave the field. The crowd gave Beckham a very warm reception, and then proceeded to boo when he had his first touch, jokers began to chant 'Fergie, Fergie sign him up!'. Inzaghi also joined the fray, but the tie is over to all intents and purposes and United are not likely to give away four goals...
However on 74 minutes Beckham had a dream strike from distance that Van De Saar managed to parry - it was the kind of volley you dream of, which was both well-hit and on target, unfortunately it was not far enough away from the 'keeper to change the score. Beckham was also able to demonstrate delivery from the right hand side that Milan have been missing in his absence. The last cheer was to go Manchester United's way with Fletcher getting on the end of a soaring cross to head home for United's fourth goal on the night with just a couple of minutes left to play. In extra-time Beckham again was given far too much time on the right and put in a cross that just skimmed the goal line and eluded the Milan strikers. All-in-all a masterful performance by Man United who easily contained and dominated the Serie A side.
Beckham was the last to leave the field as he took the time to walk around and thank the crowd who were so generous in their plaudits.

Beckham ready to play at Old Trafford

Barely visible in a sea of photographers, Beckham is mobbed by press and fans as the Milan team arrive in preparation to play Manchester United tomorrow night.
Milan face an uphill struggle to turn around a 3-2 home deficit for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Beckham has not started a game since the first leg at the San Siro, but there is hope that he will be able to play a significant part in what will be his first and quite possibly last visit to Old Trafford as an opposition player.
Nerves seemed absent as the team worked hard at training today, Ronaldinho and Beckham share a joke whilst they vie for who will take the free-kicks:
Quite rightly, Sir Alex will be more concerned about players like Pato and Huntelaar rather than what the 34-year-old former Manchester United player will bring to the game. Milan have a strong squad and will need to play to their strengths to turn this tie around...

AS Roma 0 AC Milan 0

Beckham on the bench again for the start of this game. The first half bought us no goals and precious few real efforts on goal. Milan looked the stronger side although they did not have everything their own way. Ronaldinho once again excelled and looks like a man determined to make it back into the Brazilian squad before the World cup.
The second half began with Milan pressing the home side and looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Ranieri introduced Toni into the game to pester the Milan defence, a task which he set about with relish. In the meantime, Milan continue to dominate but were missing the vital delivery into the box which is normally provided by Beckham.
Beckham took the field with 20 mins to go with his normal partner in crime down the right wing; Abate. His first couple of efforts were off-target probably as a result of the amount of bench-sitting rather than playing he has been doing lately. On 77 minutes Inzaghi joined the fray with instructions to get that all-important goal. Beckham's third attempt at delivering the killer ball into the box, was inch-perfect finding Ronaldinho's head, but Ronadinho headed wide. As the clock ticked the time away, it was still Milan that were largely in control of the game, but it was Riise for Roma who had the last effort, stinging the hands of Abbiati from distance with only 10 seconds of extra time remaining. The game finished 0-0, but Milan can consider it points lost as they should have had a win to show for their superiority on the pitch.

Englands World Cup Plans

England will play Mexico and Japan in the build-up to the World Cup, the Mexico date is yet to be confirmed, but the match will be at Wembley Stadium. The Match against Japan will be on Sunday 30 May at 2.15pm, in the UPC-Arena in Graz. Following this match, squad returns to England from their Austrian World Cup training camp.
The squad that will travel to the camp will be officially announced on Sunday 16 May, this squad will travel to Austria the very next day, apart from any players that may be involved in The FA Cup Final or Champions League Final, they will follow a different itinerary.
On Tuesday 1 June, Capello will name his final World Cup squad of 23 players and the following day, this group will meet and fly out to South Africa arriving in the country early on Thursday 3 June.
Beckham was not used in the game against Egypt and has been keeping the bench warm for a large part of Milan's recent fixtures. However, Milan do not have Pato, Mancini, Onyewu, Seedorf or Gatusso (suspended) available for tomorrows game against Roma, so there is a better chance that we will see more of Beckham tomorrow evening.

England 3 Egypt 1

England hosted the Africa of Nations champions in front of a crowd of 80,000 at Wembley as part of their preparation for the fast-approaching World Cup. Beckham started on the bench and stayed there for the duration of the game which turned out to be a game of two halves.
England started brightly enough but allowed Egypt too much possession in the first half. After spurning a couple of good chances (Lampard and Defoe) in front of goal, England allowed Egypt one chance which they gratefully took.. England left the field at half time a goal down and it was a changed team that resumed after the break. Carrick and Crouch joined the fray and immediately settled down to business, Crouch using his feet to good effect for a goal on 56 minutes, leveling the game at last. England pressed and started to take control of the match. Milner came on and had a shot which stung the keepers hands on 74 minutes, Wright-Phillips collected the rebound and spun it into the net for Englands second goal. Crouch wasn't finished though, and scored again on 79 minutes to give England a two-goal cushion at 3-1. The replay showed that Crouch was offside, but the officials did not call it. England finished strongly and eventually showed the sort of quality we have come to expect since the excellent record during the qualification stages. Notably even during the triumphant performances of World Cup qualification, England were rarely able to keep a clean sheet, but once again showed that they are a team who are likely to score a hat-full of goals every time they get the bit between their teeth.