Beckham starts on AC Milan debut

Rome(Reuters) - David Beckham was handed a surprise start for AC Milan''s Serie A game at AS Roma on Sunday.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday that Beckham would almost certainly be on the bench but has opted to give the England international a start on the right of a midfield three.

The 33-year-old is beginning a two-month loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy and although he played the first half of Tuesday''s 1-1 friendly draw with Hamburg, he has not had a competitive game since the U.S. regular season ended in October.