David Beckham was pleasantly "surprised" that AC Milan gave him the starting nod in Sunday's Serie A clash at Roma.

The England midfielder, who has joined the Rossoneri on a two-month loan deal from LA Galaxy, played 89 minutes and impressed as Milan drew 2-2.

"I feel very good, very strong, a lot stronger than I thought I was going to feel," Beckham said. "I had fun out there.

"I was surprised to have started the game but I am happy. Playing out there is what I love doing and I enjoyed it.

"When we had the meeting before the game, Ancelotti told all the players what the team was and that's when I found out.

"I didn't think I would last that long but I felt so good.

"At half-time I felt really strong. I think the manager saw that I felt good, that I still had energy and he kept me on.

"And I'm glad the manager kept me as long as he did because I needed time on the pitch in order to get match fitness."

Beckham, who is hoping to continue to play for England, was asked if national team boss Fabio Capello had told him anything before playing for Milan, a club Capello once coached.

"Everybody knows I have a very good relationship with Fabio," Beckham said. "He's a great manager.

"He gave me advice to play football at the highest level.

"It is great to play at this club and to be out there with some great players.

"I'm enjoying being part of this team and training with these players but I will take it one step at a time.

"It's pretty amazing to be among some of those players and I'm glad to just give them the ball and they'll deliver."

The 33-year-old is supposed to go back to the United States in March when the new MLS campaign kicks off.

"The contract and the agreement is that I go back to LA on March 8th or 9th so I'm going to enjoy it up to then and we'll see," he said.

Beckham will not be with AC Milan at the end of the campaign but he says the club will not be giving up on overhauling the three-time defending champions Inter Milan who are nine points ahead of them in the table with Juventus in second - five clear of the Rossoneri.

"I hope so," Beckham said. "That's what we want to do as a team, that's what we want to achieve.

"We are disappointed to have drawn the game against Roma because we were leading and we felt comfortable.

"But that's football, Rome is a tough place to come and play but one point is not enough to be satisfied.

"We know football can change quickly. We have some of the best players in the world so everything is possible."

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