It started with his dad.

Ted Beckham can still be seen now on European trips, cheering on his beloved Red Devils.

The obsession was passed to his son, despite their Leytonstone roots.

It explains how Beckham ended up at one of Bobby Charlton's soccer schools; it explains why there was never a chance of Beckham ending up at Orient, or Tottenham, or any other London club that was far more local than Old Trafford.

It explains why Beckham was in tears when he learned the Champions League first knock-out round would provide him with a chance, after seven years, to say goodbye.

"Leaving United was the toughest thing I had to deal with in my whole career," he reflected in a recent interview.

"Coming to terms with not being a United player was very hard.

"When you are a Manchester United fan and a Manchester United player, you never want to play for anyone else."

It was always that way for Beckham. When he emerged from that famed Youth Cup-winning 'Class of 92', all he wanted to do was make a first-team appearance.

When he did that - scoring the kind of free-kick that was to become his trade-mark against Galatasaray in 1994 - he wanted to win something, win something else, play well enough to lead his country, become a national icon.

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Beckham's triumphs with United are part of club legend.

Although he was the first of that amazing group of youngsters to leave Old Trafford, he left an indelible mark.

Six titles, a couple of FA Cups. A Champions League. The Treble.

Chelsea are viewed as a pretty successful team. Ask John Terry and Frank Lampard if they would swap what they have now for that?

There is no doubt either Beckham will be afforded a hero's welcome when he comes back.

For all the irritation he caused Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of his United career, by which time the Scot felt fame itself had become a monster controlling Beckham, his wife Victoria guiding him into the showbiz stratosphere, he remained a fans' favourite.

Whilst old friend Ryan Giggs was criticised by United fans when he did not play well, Beckham's more robust approach - he would often charge around doing nothing but barging opponents when things were not going his way - appealed to the sense of industry demanded at Old Trafford.

It is a two-way thing of course, which is why Beckham previously viewed a return with trepidation.

"United were the club I always wanted to play for and I loved every minute of my time there," he said.

"The thought of playing against them for Real Madrid always gave me that sick feeling because I just missed the club so much."

Partly, it was the way Beckham left.

His final game might have been at Everton, when another of those wonderful free-kicks put the Red Devils on the road to the championship, but the season is remembered for two other events: the boot Ferguson lashed out at after an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal that freakishly struck Beckham just above the eye and the two goals he scored in defeat against Real Madrid after he had been left on the bench.

There was a wound with the man he called boss that was not properly healed until 12 months ago, when Beckham and Ferguson enjoyed a public reunion in the San Siro ahead of United's encounter with Inter Milan.

It brought a sense of calm - and left Beckham feeling the time was right for a proper meeting, with the San Siro set to host the first leg of the last-16 tie between AC Milan and United tomorrow night and the return scheduled for March 10.

"When this draw was made it just felt like it was the right time to go back," he said.

"It is why I felt really emotional when the draw was made.

"I met so many amazing people there, on and off the pitch, and am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

"It is the biggest club in the world and one you always want to be a part of."

In fact, there should be just one area of tension and it will be inside the pit of Ted Beckham's stomach.

Son or club? What a choice.

"I have not asked my dad who he wants to win," said Beckham.

"I don't think he would tell me the truth anyway."