Sports Latest
The latest UK & World sports news from the Press Association
Familiar foes for United and Chelsea
16:45, Dec 18 2009
Manchester United and Chelsea will both be reunited with old flames in the Champions League last 16 after being drawn against David Beckham's AC Milan and Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan respectively.
England midfielder Beckham, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will be on loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy when the sides meet over two legs in February and March.
Should Beckham line up on the right side of Milan's midfield he could go toe to toe with United left-back Patrice Evra. And the France international said: "Who can say whether it will help or not the fact that all the focus will be on him?"
He added: "After all, when we played against Barcelona it was all Messi v Ronaldo. For us it is normal. The pressure is normal. I am more interested in playing against AC Milan than David Beckham."
AC Milan organisational manager Umberto Gandini said of Beckham's return on Eurosport: "It's a great occasion for David, who will be playing for us from January, to go back to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United for the first time."
Chelsea, meanwhile, were handed a similarly high-profile clash against former manager Mourinho's Inter. The self-proclaimed 'Special One' led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before surprisingly leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.
However, current Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti might not be among the throng cheering his name. The pair were regularly at loggerheads while the Italian was still AC Milan boss last season but Ancelotti believes it is time to bury the hatchet.
"If we don't have a good relationship, this game can be a good opportunity to return to a good relationship," said Ancelotti. "There were some problems, some questions and discussions in the papers. Only this. Nothing important. I'm not ready to play mind games. I never will be ready to play these games. I prefer to play football matches. I have experience of what he'll do."
Inter president Massimo Moratti said: "For Mourinho to return to Stamford Bridge will be an added motivation. It will be a very strong motivation for him."
Arsenal will take on Porto with all three English clubs playing the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups. Arsenal secretary David Miles said: "I think he (Arsene Wenger) will be relatively pleased. We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
