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.

Beckham said: ‘‘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.

‘‘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.”

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.’’

■ Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore expects Fabio Capello to remain as England boss until after Euro 2012.

Capello’s planning for this summer’s World Cup is now in full swing, with assistant Franco Baldini due to head to Angola this month to see Group C opponents Algeria in action at the African Cup of Nations.

Yet there is already plenty of speculation that Capello will stand down after South Africa.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is widely viewed as a leading contender to replace the Italian, a belief that has only been fuelled by the 62-yearold’s decision to sign a new rolling contract with the Craven Cottage club, which includes a release clause.

However, Capello has hinted himself that he has no plans to stand down ahead of the next European Championships.

And Watmore is certainly not planning for a succession.

‘‘Reports linking Roy Hodgson or any manager with the England job post the World Cup are just not true,’’ said Watmore.