Onyewu suffered a serious knee injury that would keep out of action for at least four months, even though USA were already assured of a World Cup place.

Subsequently, Milan are set to contact the American federation regarding the 27-year-old, who has just joined the Rossoneri in the summer.

"I’m very angry because once again the national teams take our players and we have to pay the consequences of injuries," Milan CEO Galliani was quoted by Italian media on Thursday.

"We demand compensation from the American Federation because we cannot pay the salary of a player who cannot play for six months."

Onyewu has rarely appeared for Milan since joining from Belgian champions Standard Liege in July.

Meanwhile, Galliani has confirmed that David Beckham's return to the club on loan from LA Galaxy in January is a' done deal'.