David Beckham wrapped a green and gold scarf around his neck in support of Manchester United's fans after an emotional reunion at Old Trafford.
Beckham and his AC Milan side were on the end of a 4-0 second-leg thrashing as United cruised through to the quarter finals of the Champions League, but he still got a rapturous reception, especially when at the end he donned the scarf which has become a symbol of the supporters' anger at United's owners, the Glazers, and the club's £709m debt.
Beckham, however, later distanced himself from the protest when he said: "I'm a Man United fan. I saw the scarf there. I put it round my neck, it's the old colours of Man United, that's all I knew."
The former England captain added: "To be honest it's (the protest) not my business. I'm a Manchester United fan. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do. It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a Man United fan and I support the team. I will always support them."
Beckham admitted he was aware of the gathering protests against United's owners, adding: "Obviously you can hear it week in and week out. There's always protests going on. Let's hope it gets sorted out."
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Joe Whittaker (11/03/2010 at 07:35)
United=is Life
Blackley M9
The Blue Solution, Always looking to the future (11/03/2010 at 08:32)
Well done Becks.......
Removal, Swinton (11/03/2010 at 08:56)
surely a comment about him being a typical ManU fan from London is overdue?
after all THIS IS YOUR CITY.......
dessie, manchester (11/03/2010 at 09:13)
sheikh, prattle and droll (11/03/2010 at 09:16)
dessie, manchester
11/03/2010 at 09:13
Well dessie, it seems you care enough to post a comment...
whitebird, Republik Mancunia (11/03/2010 at 09:38)
11/03/2010 at 08:32
Im wracking my brains,Trying to think of a city legend who could generate a similar reception at wastelands..... Dickov ?...Goater ?... Kinky ?.. Nah...ha ha
nic seddon, sunderland (11/03/2010 at 09:48)
Blueshark, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 10:05)
Call me a coward but Come on Manchester
Red or Dead, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 10:06)
bladdered, Downtown Cleckheaton (11/03/2010 at 10:29)
Or, in other words:
"Once Beckham's financial advisors had informed him of the potentially damaging marketing Implications of allying himself with an anti-American movement...he bottled it and succumbed yet again to the lure of the Yankee dollar"
CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (11/03/2010 at 10:33)
Denis has done it! April 27th 1974, Didsbury (11/03/2010 at 10:48)
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 11:46)
If I was Leonardo, I would send him back to joke disneyworld Football in the US where he belongs. Cappello will prove also what a weak and worthless clown he is as well by selecting this useless numpty for world cup duty, depriving somebody else much more deserving a genuine chance to make an impact.
We dont deserve to win the world cup - and we wont if Beckscum is involved.
Lord Smithers (11/03/2010 at 11:53)
City will never be as big as Utd. Ever.
amir khan (11/03/2010 at 11:59)
Totally Agree - Kevin Davies
amir khan (11/03/2010 at 12:01)
His reply - "Enjoy the game while you can & STAY at Manchester United"
Sounded like he regrets leaving to me.
bobbydazzler (11/03/2010 at 12:02)
simple fact is that even at 35 years old becks is still better option for right wing than swp
Red or Dead, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 12:11)
Oh and by the way, how is the Mancini-inspired fashion range coming on?
Army Surplus Special, bringing up the rear. (11/03/2010 at 12:14)
erm, Beckham and Seedorf played better than any of their colleagues..
depriving somebody else much more deserving a genuine chance to make an impact.
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester
erm, who exactly is putting in the performances at the moment to push Beckham out of the squad.. fair enough if somebody else 'steps up to the plate' but Lennon/Walcott/SWP dont share one footballing brain cell between them.
Duke of Earl, Middleton (11/03/2010 at 12:35)
I look forward to his wife's new clothes range in green and yellow
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 12:44)
simple fact is that even at 35 years old becks is still better option for right wing than swp
bobbydazzler,
11/03/2010 at 12:02:
Bobby dazzler, even you must know that is not true as you clearly didnt see the impact SWP had recently when coming on v Egypt, where was Beckham that night? - whoever Cappello takes to the world cup Beckham should not even be considered, his pace is positively pedestrian, his passing isnt even accurate these days and he doesent even work hard any more or even look properly fit!, if its Lennon, SWP, Milner, Walcott or whoever, they would be all much better options than the useless Beckscum would be. Clearly if we take Beckham it will be for "cheerleading" only, Id just Hire Jordan if thats what cappello wants.
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (11/03/2010 at 12:47)
City will never be as big as Utd. Ever.
Lord Smithers,
11/03/2010 at 11:53:
You must be that "Lord smithers of London", because you cant be from Manchester can you?. You are right about one thing though, Utd will always be bigger than City in one area without any dispute - DEBT.
Green and Gold until you fold!
salfordrat (11/03/2010 at 12:57)
Sparky was the best ever (11/03/2010 at 13:43)
Class, class player and I would love him in United's midfield right now (not on the wing) instead of Carrick and in rotation with Fletcher and Scholes.
Sparky was the best ever (11/03/2010 at 13:49)
More than that: I remember when Lineker was moving to Japan (Grampus 8). He never played in a United shirt, but his last game at Old Trafford, he scored a header for Tottenham and the entire crowd gave him a standing ovation and sung "There's only one Gary Lineker".
A class player is a class player and it's great that United fans have that attitude. They simply love the game and why wouldn't they, when they watch United every week?