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Returns for Becks and Mourinho

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 19/12/2009
Football betting

David Beckham will return to Manchester United while Chelsea will come face-to-face with former boss Jose Mourinho in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Beckham will be hoping to make a fond farewell in the twilight of his career when AC Milan take on the 2008 European champions in the first knockout round.

The former England midfielder will join the Italian giants on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in the new year and the second leg of the mouthwatering encounter will see Beckham back at Old Trafford.

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Meanwhile, Mourinho will also be making a return of his own to Stamford Bridge.

He left Chelsea under something of a cloud in September 2007 but not before leading the Blues to two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups during three trophy-filled years in London.

However, the Portuguese coach never managed to take Chelsea past the semi-final stage of the Champions League.

Elsewhere in an interesting draw, Arsenal - the other remaining English club following Liverpool's surprise exit - have been paired with FC Porto.

Sportsbook favourites Liverpool have been given a favourable draw after being paired against Unirea Urziceni in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Fulham have been handed a daunting tie after being drawn to face current Europa League holders Shakhtar Donetsk.

Everton have also been handed a tricky tie after being paired with Sporting Lisbon.

Ryan Giggs will further extend his record-breaking career with Manchester United after putting pen to paper on a contract extension.

The 36-year-old midfielder has been rewarded for his superb form during the past 18 months with a new deal which runs until summer 2011.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had no hesitation in handing Giggs the new deal as the evergreen former Wales international is playing some of the best football of his lengthy career.

The fall-out from the heated exchange between Sulieman Benn and Australian duo Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson on the second day of the third Test at the WACA in Perth has ended with the West Indies spinner being handed a two-match ban.

Benn will miss the two Commonwealth Bank series matches against Australia in Melbourne and Adelaide on February 7 and 9 respectively, while Haddin and Johnson were fined 25 per cent and ten per cent of their match fees respectively following the bad-tempered spat.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has added to the speculation suggesting Michael Schumacher will return to the grid next year.

Ecclestone says he would be surprised if the former Ferrari ace did not drive for Mercedes in 2010.

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