Bayern star puts boot into Beckham

Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber today claimed Manchester United midfielder David Beckham is "not an outstanding player."

Bayern face United in the Champions League, quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford tonight and Elber, who criticised Arsenal before Bayern's last European game, feels Paul Scholes and Roy Keane are better players than the England captain.

"Manchester United have some very good midfielders and Scholes and Keane are fantastic," he said.

"Beckham plays some good football, hitting some good crosses and passes but he's not an outstanding player.

"Keane and Scholes are much better."

Bayern will be without midfielder Thorsten Fink, who has damaged knee ligaments, for the repeat of the 1999 Champions League final, which United won 2-1. Jens Jeremies will play despite a sore ankle.

United manager Alex Ferguson will make at least four changes from the team beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Mikael Silvestre and Paul Scholes will return to the starting lineup. Teddy Sheringham, who was 35 yesterday, is vying with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the right to partner Cole.