I was recently asked by a City fan to shed some light on Beckham’s departure from United. Here is my reply, let me know if I have got anything wrong.
I can make assumptions about why Beckham left United in the first place, and whilst I think that my opinion is informed, I should state clearly that it will largely be based around heresy and asides that have been made to the press by Fergie, Becks and the all-powerful Mrs. Beckham.
Firstly, we were gutted when he left. Every United fan loved him and we could not understand why we had just sold a player who had set up so very many goals for us. It mildly rocked the club too, and we were without a league championship until Ronaldo came of age four years later. Beckham was on the receiving end of a deafening standing ovation when he returned last year for an all-star game; and a campaign to resign him when things were grim at Madrid gained some hearty support. But we knew we never had a chance. Why? Sir Alex Ferguson.
It is widely assumed that Alex is not a big fan of Victoria and vice versa. Ferguson has spoken at great length about the need for players to be focused on the game and not to succumb to the distractions many modern footballers can do. It seems to be a great source of consternation to him and he absolutely will not be meddled with on this one. Victoria, some have argued, has a rather different opinion of the limelight. With a personal fortune of nearly £100 million she probably also has a point.
Central to this need for discipline in the United camp was David, a hard training, diligent and gifted footballer desperate to please the manager and mentor he had known since he was twelve. And, of course, trying to keep the missus happy too. An ‘agree to disagree’ scenario had developed and we got on with the footy and won the league in 2003, but, during the course of that year two significant things happened.
Firstly, Beckham’s post World Cup star had risen to an unbelievable height. He was easily the most recognisable athlete on the planet and, despite putting United through a victorious league campaign and getting them to within touching distance of another European Cup final, Fergie kept being asked about his No.7. It obviously rankled with him. Ferguson is a club man and the United faithful are well drilled with the mantle “no one player is bigger than the club.” This is also why plenty were happy to say ‘ciao’ to Ronaldo last summer.
Then, the Camel’s back broke. United were outclassed by Arsenal in the FA cup and Sir Alex destroyed enough crockery in the dressing room to cater for an Ambassadorial reception. During the ‘discussion’ the manager became a pinpoint specialist himself by kicking out at a boot, which found its way across the room before brutally scarring David’s beautiful face. Our friends in the fourth estate wet themselves. More coverage was given to the two-stitch scar above Bekham’s right eye than the ensuing war in Iraq. Fergie had had enough.
No sooner had we placed our empty, celebratory pint glasses back on the bar than United had accepted a bid from Barcelona. Becks eventually balked at it but was sufficiently hurt that when Madrid put in an offer he decided if he wasn’t wanted he may as well go. United followed the “no one player is bigger than the club†line (which is utterly correct) and Beckham managed to get another set of fans to fall in love with him. And the Madrid fans I know really do love him.
Beckham has made significant amounts of money through his image rights for all of the clubs he has played for, there is utterly no point in denying it. But this week’s rich list has Real Madrid and Manchester United in its top two positions and Beckham plays for neither of them now. He is a determined character Mr. Beckham and his ability to pull himself back off the ropes and prove others wrong is reminiscent of his former manager. I should imagine Alex even permits himself a wry smile every time Becks proves someone wrong, at least I hope so. Recently, Ferguson has begun speaking relatively warmly about (although probably not to) Beckham with regards to his arrangement with Milan. Significantly, he didn’t seem annoyed at having the questions posed to him. Perhaps there is enough water under the bridge now.
Beckham has gone on to be adored wherever he has played and could well be in line for another great hurrah at club and international level. Ferguson is still rewriting the history books as if they were worthless in the first place. One thing is for sure, you would be mad to write either them off.
A highly perceptive and well-reasoned analysis. You are dead right on the psychological chemistry, but I think there is a further element. Somehow, Lord knows how, SAF knows when a player has peaked. I have been amazed once or twice when he has sold someone. Why did he never give Andrew Cole the chance to work with Ruud? Where were the goals to come from when he sold Ruud? In what way had Nicky Butt’s and Phil Neville’s standards dropped? But when SAF sells someone, he is always, always right. No-one ever produces better football after they have left OT. And another thing. SAF is not so inflexible and short-sighted that anyone who steps out of line is shown the door. Remember his two foreign flights to chat up the wavering Eric and, last summer, Ronaldo. But he knew their bests were going to get even better.
The Grimace is right. Beckham never played as well again. He had peaked and the Wizard knew it. Posh just being around was a constant reminder that Beck’s time was up.
“But when SAF sells someone, he is always, always right.” Er, what about Jaap Stam, oh Grimace? We saw him do quite well in the San Siro some time after he had left OT. The Italians got a few good years out of him (drugs ban apart!)