Brand Beckham: Man United boss Ferguson reportedly got rid of David Beckham because of his 'celebrity' image.
David Beckham’s return to Manchester United to take on his former employers with AC Milan is being met with fever pitch levels of excitement back in the city where he made his name. Beckham is back at Old Trafford on Champions League duty for the first time since his acrimonious departure in 2003, a match you can see on STV and online at live.stv.tv on Wednesday March 10 from 7.30pm.
Yet those who still idolise their former number seven really should be on their guard. Sir Alex Ferguson has an unblemished track record of knowing exactly when a player is past their best – Beckham’s task is to prove him wrong.
To date, it appears that Fergie is a shrewd judge of character. He let the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Lee Sharpe, Nicky Butt, Jaap Stam, Louis Saha and Alan Smith go because he felt their stock was on the decline.
Similarly, he let Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and, once upon a time, Gordon Strachan depart because their personalities or off-field comments caused an unwelcome distraction from Ferguson’s one-track mind for success with the Red Devils.
The same fate befell Beckham. His marriage to Victoria Adams in 1999 and his rise as a non-footballing celebrity conflicted with his manager’s drive and focus. While there was, and still is, no doubt over the former England captain’s ability or application as a footballer, Ferguson felt his player’s other activities were getting in the way.
"Getting married into that entertainment scene was a difficult thing, from that moment his life was never going to be the same,” Ferguson said of his former charge during a question and answer session in Glasgow in 2007. “He is such a big celebrity, football is only a small part. The big part is his persona."
One kick of a stray football boot in anger later, which left the face of Gillette with a cut above his left eye in 2003, Beckham was on his way to Real Madrid. There, he won just one La Liga title, fittingly in his last game for the club before an unexpected move to the “developing” American league to play for Los Angeles Galaxy.
So, again, none of them have ever proved their ex-manager wrong. Cristiano Ronaldo may prove the exception in time but the general rule is that if Ferguson thinks you’ve served your purpose, you can forget about that extension to the trophy cabinet.
No-one has ever stood up and proved the man who has guided the Red Devils to 11 Premier League titles wrong. No player has been able to come face-to-face with their former mentor and made him rue the decision to ever let them leave. Step forward then, Mr Beckham, here’s your opportunity.
Until recently, it seemed clear that Ferguson had cut his ties with Beckham at the precise moment. But he never could have accounted for the now 34-year-old returning one day with AC Milan in a game like the one that lies in store on Wednesday night.
Beckham’s legs may have slowed down a pace or two but his strengths never lay in his ability to beat a full-back with a burst of speed. His ability lies in the dead ball and in his range of passing – traits which he still hasn’t lost and from which Milan continue to benefit.
Playing for Milan, still one of Europe’s top clubs despite their aging squad, Beckham continues to look like one of football’s nice guys. Beneath that squeaky-clean image burns the heart of a fiercely competitive athlete who will relish the opportunity for revenge.
He may not spare a thought for those other ex-Reds. But that exclusive club of which is he an unwilling member alongside Stam, Tevez and Strachan will permit themselves a wry smile if Beckham comes out on top.
Ironically, the hooplah surrounding Mr Posh Spice’s return to Manchester is exactly the sort of media circus Ferguson has sought to protect his Man United squad from throughout his tenure.
He booted Beckham to the home of hype, Real Madrid, because the player’s growing stature off the field was eclipsing his own efforts as a footballer, as well as his squad’s. While most clubs would covet a global footballing icon such as Beckham, he was seen as one individual who was starting to be regarded as bigger than the team.
While it’s unfair to say Beckham is the standout player in the AC Milan team, all the hype about his homecoming is making Ferguson’s views look spot on. The game is being billed as Beckham’s return. The fact it is a Champions League match, which United lead 3-2 on aggregate for a place in the quarter finals, appears secondary.
