Ahead of Manchester United's UEFA Champions League first knockout round clash with AC Milan, Sir Alex Ferguson spent much of his time talking about former stars.
Inevitably David Beckham, who is now at Milan and is gearing up to face his former club, came up in the pre-match press conference.
Whilst Ferguson also commented on Cristiano Ronaldo, following his weekend statements that he 'missed' playing for United.
Beckham has already stated that he would not celebrate against the Red Devils, and Ferguson quipped that he hoped he would not be.
"I hope he is not celebrating," he jested.
"But I think David has got experience and he has got over 100 caps for England, he has played for AC Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United - it is similar to other AC players like Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrossini, Nesta and Inzaghi - it is great to have experience in big games and David will bring that."
Ferguson admits that home-grown players like Beckham will always be held in high esteem by the club's fans.
"Manchester United builds up heroes very quickly," he said.
"We are peculiar because the players, like Beckham, who come through the ranks are always viewed as better than those you buy.
"But Rooney is also regarded as that kind of player.
"Although he came from Everton, the fans will always look at him as one of the players who has grown up with us.
"He has been fantastic this season and, without doubt, his form this season has brought him to the high point of his career.
"World-class is a misused term, but with Rooney, you have to say he is getting to the point where he is now one of the best players in the world."
Still the best
Speaking about world-class players, then saw the question of Ronaldo emerge and Ferguson stated that he still considers his former charge as the best.
"Ronaldo is the best player in the world, but I am biased," he said.
"When you lose a great player he is a loss and you have to recover from that and look at your team differently - you have to get on with it, you can't sit around and complain about not having him, and you have to move on and I think we have but he was a marvellous player."
Milan defeated United three-years ago and Ferguson feels he knows what went wrong last time.
"In the last game, the physical part was the real reason for our performance," said Ferguson.
"We had to play against Everton on the Saturday while Milan rested a lot of players and they were fresh.
"We are fresh this time and that can make a difference.
"There is a distinct change from when we were here last."
Ferguson also predicts that the Italian challenge on Europe's top prize is becoming more forceful.
"I watched the Milan derby and Inter played fantastic," said Ferguson.
"They were very good on that night and there has been a big improvement with them, illustrated by their position in the league.
"AC Milan have experience of big games too and we have to be cautious how we approach this game, so I would say there is an improvement in the Italian sides.
"In recent years English teams have done well and got to a lot of semi-finals and finals.
"But you have to go with Barcelona. They have the experience of winning it last year and they are top of their own league too.
"You cannot write off a team with all that quality."
Inevitably David Beckham, who is now at Milan and is gearing up to face his former club, came up in the pre-match press conference.
Whilst Ferguson also commented on Cristiano Ronaldo, following his weekend statements that he 'missed' playing for United.
Beckham has already stated that he would not celebrate against the Red Devils, and Ferguson quipped that he hoped he would not be.
"I hope he is not celebrating," he jested.
"But I think David has got experience and he has got over 100 caps for England, he has played for AC Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United - it is similar to other AC players like Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrossini, Nesta and Inzaghi - it is great to have experience in big games and David will bring that."
Ferguson admits that home-grown players like Beckham will always be held in high esteem by the club's fans.
"Manchester United builds up heroes very quickly," he said.
"We are peculiar because the players, like Beckham, who come through the ranks are always viewed as better than those you buy.
"But Rooney is also regarded as that kind of player.
"Although he came from Everton, the fans will always look at him as one of the players who has grown up with us.
"He has been fantastic this season and, without doubt, his form this season has brought him to the high point of his career.
"World-class is a misused term, but with Rooney, you have to say he is getting to the point where he is now one of the best players in the world."
Still the best
Speaking about world-class players, then saw the question of Ronaldo emerge and Ferguson stated that he still considers his former charge as the best.
"Ronaldo is the best player in the world, but I am biased," he said.
"When you lose a great player he is a loss and you have to recover from that and look at your team differently - you have to get on with it, you can't sit around and complain about not having him, and you have to move on and I think we have but he was a marvellous player."
Milan defeated United three-years ago and Ferguson feels he knows what went wrong last time.
"In the last game, the physical part was the real reason for our performance," said Ferguson.
"We had to play against Everton on the Saturday while Milan rested a lot of players and they were fresh.
"We are fresh this time and that can make a difference.
"There is a distinct change from when we were here last."
Ferguson also predicts that the Italian challenge on Europe's top prize is becoming more forceful.
"I watched the Milan derby and Inter played fantastic," said Ferguson.
"They were very good on that night and there has been a big improvement with them, illustrated by their position in the league.
"AC Milan have experience of big games too and we have to be cautious how we approach this game, so I would say there is an improvement in the Italian sides.
"In recent years English teams have done well and got to a lot of semi-finals and finals.
"But you have to go with Barcelona. They have the experience of winning it last year and they are top of their own league too.
"You cannot write off a team with all that quality."
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