London, Dec 18 : English midfielder David Beckham''s short-term loan move to Italian club AC Milan has been questioned by the player he replaces.

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, sidelined after knee ligament surgery, said: "It seems a strange thing to me."

"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 is strange," The Sun quoted Gattuso, as saying.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Beckham, 33, who usually plays on the right, can help fill in for Gattuso in a central midfield role. But Gattuso dismissed the scheme.

He said: "Beckham cannot be my substitute. I know Milan are looking but I don''t know if anyone will arrive - it''s up to the club."

Chief executive Adriano Galliani hinted this week that Milan might seek to buy a replacement for Gattuso in the transfer window having previously ruled out any spending in January. (ANI)