Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said he views David Beckham's loan move to AC Milan as "strange" and does not believe the Englishman can take his place while he is out with a knee injury.

Beckham is joining Milan on a short-term loan from Los Angeles Galaxy to keep up his fitness during the United States close season and stay in contention for an England squad place. The 33-year-old will be presented by the Serie A club on Saturday.

"It seems a strange thing to me," Gattuso, who will be out for six months after having surgery this week on damaged knee ligaments, told Sky on Wednesday.

"Maybe it would more beautiful and right if he stayed the whole year, if he signed a contract. A month and a half or two months seems strange to me."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Beckham, who usually plays on the wing, could help fill in for Gattuso, but the central midfielder does not agree.

"Beckham cannot be my substitute. I know that Milan are looking around, but I don't know if anyone will arrive, it's up to the club."

Chief executive Adriano Galliani hinted on Wednesday that Milan may seek to buy a replacement for Gattuso in the transfer window having previously ruled out spending in January.

(Agencies via China Daily December 19, 2008)