Becks Dons The Protest Colours

Beckham and his AC Milan side were on the end of a 4-0 second-leg thrashing as United cruised through to the quarter finals of the Champions League, but he still got a rapturous reception, especially when at the end he donned the scarf which has become a symbol of the supporters' anger at United's owners, the Glazers, and the club's £709m debt.

Beckham, however, later distanced himself from the protest when he said: "I'm a Man United fan. I saw the scarf there. I put it round my neck, it's the old colours of Man United, that's all I knew."

The former England captain added: "To be honest it's (the protest) not my business. I'm a Manchester United fan. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do. It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a Man United fan and I support the team. I will always support them."

Beckham admitted he was aware of the gathering protests against United's owners, adding: "Obviously you can hear it week in and week out. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out."