Beckham: I wish I'd never left United

David Beckham admits he wishes he had never left Manchester United as he prepares to head back to Old Trafford with new club AC Milan in the Champions League's last 16 in March.

Beckham says he envies former team-mate Ryan Giggs, who has stayed his whole career at the club while Beckham's path took him to Real Madrid then to the Los Angeles Galaxy, while he is now preparing for a second loan spell with Milan.

"I'd have loved to have stayed at Manchester United for my whole career and never gone anywhere else but it just wasn't meant to be," Beckham told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.

"It takes a special person and a player to stay at a club for so many years. Ryan's been there for so many years now and he'll be part of Manchester United for life - he's a Manchester boy and it runs through his blood.

"I'm so honoured to have played with Ryan through the years I did and to know him as a person and a player. He deserves all the success he's had this year and in the other years."

Meanwhile, Beckham insists he is taking nothing for granted despite England boss Fabio Capello's assertion this week that the former captain will almost certainly be a part of his 2010 World Cup squad.

Beckham said: "I've never expected anything. I know I have to play quite a lot for AC Milan. I'm prepared to do that. Everybody knows I'm prepared to work hard to be part of the England squad.

"I've always been very positive and I've always said I want to be available for England whether I'm in the team or not. I'm passionate about playing for my country and I always want to be a part of the England squad."