Beckham vows to show United respect

February 08, 2010

David Beckham

David Beckham has promised he will not celebrate if he scores against Manchester United.

After 394 appearances for the club, the England midfielder believes it would be inappropriate behaviour should he find the net for AC Milan.

United face the Italians in the Champions League at the San Siro a week on Tuesday, with the return leg on March 10 at Old Trafford.

It is the first time Beckham has faced his former club and he remains grateful to the fans who backed him after he was sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

He told Inside United: "Sometimes emotion can get the better of you when you score but I do not think I would celebrate. I respect the supporters and the club.

"The relationship I have with the fans is still important to me. I went through some difficult times but they never stopped supporting me.

"I would not have got through everything without them. To me they are the best fans in the world and the support they gave me week in, week out was incredible. Nothing will ever better that."

Beckham, on loan to Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, has an abiding affection for the Barclays Premier League champions.

He added: "I always wish I was part of Manchester United, it is just in me. Even though I am not there any more, I am still a huge fan.

"Coming to terms with not being a United player was certainly the toughest thing I've ever had to deal with.

Beckham view

"When you are a Manchester United player and a Manchester United fan you never want to play for any other club.

"I always want them to do well and be successful because the club still means so much to me. I've still got season tickets and I will always keep them because I love to watch every game where possible.

"I would love to take my sons one day. United will always be such a special place to me, so we will just have to see what the future holds."

Beckham's 13-year spell at United, in which he scored 85 goals, ended in July 2003 when he moved to Real Madrid and he admits he found it difficult to cope.

The England midfielder said: "United was the club I always wanted to play for and I loved every minute of my time there. The first few years (after leaving) were hard and there were a lot of things I missed.

"When I was at Real Madrid it just never felt right to come back to Old Trafford. The thought of playing against United always gave me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much.

"But when the draw was made this time it felt as though it was the right time to go back. I felt really emotional.

"It will also be extremely emotional for myself and my family on the night. I met so many amazing people during my time there, on and off the pitch, that I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

"It is the biggest club in the world and it is one you always want to be a part of."

Has Beckham's game declined since he left United? Have your say.

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jordy, Middleton (08/02/2010 at 16:28)

Has Beckham's game declined since he left? Not immediately at Real Madrid,but with age and loads of interests going on off the pitch, obviously. I look forward to seeing Beckham back, he was a very good player for United, and until Ronaldo perfected his free kicks, Beckham was the best. Crosser of the ball on the run, still the best I've ever seen at OT. I hope that he gets a good reception also..

Erik Duus (08/02/2010 at 16:41)

Great player! Great person! Always thought that it was a shame that he left. Would have been good business for United to keep him. He really have strong feelings for the club and it would have been nice for everone to see him finish his career at Old Trafford.

Personally i think he had som great games at Real Madrid and that he would have had great impact if he had played for United. And that he at the moment plays for AC Milan, one of the biggest club in the world, only says that he's still got it!

Erik Duus (08/02/2010 at 16:42)

Red Army (08/02/2010 at 16:44)

He's confident!!! he might not start yet. We should get past Milan over two legs. Ideally it will be nice for him to score a 30 yard screamer once we are out of sight by at least 3/4 goals

Gilly, Belgium (08/02/2010 at 16:48)

Wll he got older and played differently !
I dont know if his game has changed all that much, he got older and i think he is still a dead ball master , those crosses into the box are unbeatable !

Sean , NYXMC (08/02/2010 at 16:52)

Beckham is a class act. I hope he gets a great reception. I wouldn't mind him scoring (in a 5-1 MU win...)

Enzie, Red Heaven (08/02/2010 at 16:53)

He left us when he was in his prime, we saw the best of him no doubt about that. However, i feel as an all round footballer he has improved, playing in the two other top leagues in Europe meant he would have learnt an awful lot and his game is certainly most suited to Italy now.

A fantastic player for us who clearly loves the club, still feel Ferguson doesnt really think much of him, but iv got nothing but admiration for the bloke. Looking forward to seeing him in March, and the way his career has panned out i wouldnt be suprised if....Im not even gonna say it.

Silvestre's Easter Island Head (08/02/2010 at 16:58)

Why? didn't show us all that much respect when he manouvered his move to real madrid to keep his missus quiet!

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (08/02/2010 at 16:59)

David Beckham, you will always be remembered as a United Icon. Nice comments from you; I would not have expected anything less. Hope you play a blinder but, of course, end up a loser!

keithmat (08/02/2010 at 17:19)

He doesn't play for us anymore, if he scores for his team he should celebrate. There is no dis-respect in that.

manc abroad, OT (08/02/2010 at 17:52)

If Becks score a couple of own goals. RESPECT !!!

Uwe the Goat, Brighton (08/02/2010 at 18:13)

But will he score if he celebrates against Utd?

Mr-T (08/02/2010 at 18:22)

dont worry Becks u'll get a good reception guaranteed as for not celebrating if u score we know you got more class than that,u still love the club, not like that money grabbing argie bloke who said he wouldnt celebrate! yet another lie from his troll gob couldnt wait to go fist pumping across the scoreboard end.

Mrs Fullaway's lodger, LUHG (08/02/2010 at 18:39)

I hope he scores a beauty at the Stretford End. As long as we're five goals up.

Britt/Canada (08/02/2010 at 18:42)

A great player & clubman,,,still feel that he was forced out of MU but perhaps the time was right.Of course he's form as dropped,he's got older & slower what else could it do.

BALL AND BAT, ALL OVER (08/02/2010 at 19:03)

Youll allways be welcomed back beck's your a red through and through.

Morrissey United, Denton, Manc. (08/02/2010 at 19:08)

Beckham, you're a United legend and always will be. I just wish you were still swinging in those fantastic crosses for Rooney etc. to get on the end of.

vt5060 (08/02/2010 at 19:15)

Bench at best.

Morrissey United, Denton, Manc. (08/02/2010 at 19:57)

Beckham will carry on playing at his high standard because his game was based on his ability to find a man with a 30/40 yard pinpoint pass. Not to mention his superb free kicks from just outside the box or from even further away. The man will always be a United legend..

Green and Gold MOFO!, manchester (08/02/2010 at 20:02)

Can't wait for the Milan games but am dreading all the crap puns and media circus that will go with it!

LUHG

Roger, Ontario, Ontario (08/02/2010 at 20:04)

He won't score so no problemo.

Green and Gold MOFO!, manchester (08/02/2010 at 20:11)

And yes Beckhams game was in decline, and way before he left OT! For me he stopped being a footballer three years before he went to madrid.

All that said though i for one will be on my feet cheering him on to the pitch.

LUHG

ted knott, droylsden (08/02/2010 at 20:18)

Sounds like a case of the Denis Law's on April 27th 1974 in not celebrating after he scored the winner for City against United at Old Trafford that allegededly (ha ha ha) sent United down.
Like Denis Law if Beckham doesn't relish the prospect of scoring against his former team then why bother playing in the match?
Like Denis Law was Becks will be a traitor and certainly unprofessional if he goes into the game not wanting to score and if he doesn't well creating a goal is as bad--YES like Law should have Beckham needs to get his priorities in order but I'm sure Jose Mourinho has noted his comments... ha ha ha ha ha wouldn't it be ironic if Becks scored the deciding goal with a 'BACKHEELER' flick? PRICELESS...

keith brando (08/02/2010 at 20:24)

beckham was a great player for utd but ferguson rarely makes mistakes when letting players go. it was a circus at the end of beckhams time with utd and it was affecting him and the team. i still cringe at the thought of posh commenting on team affairs??
beckham didnt set the world on fire when he went so fergi was right yet again. I think only strachen when he was playing got he better of ferguson when he left old trafford???

Steve from Hyde, Tameside (08/02/2010 at 20:44)

3 months ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to my former team mates"
2 months ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to the manager"
1 month ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to the lovely stadium"
1 week ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to the fans who adored me"
1 hour ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to the cleaners who did my kit"
1 minute ago: "If I score aginst United I won't celebrate out of respect to the tea ladies (who gave me my Horlicks and read me bedtime stories)"

I think even the most stupid of readers just about gets the message by now David...

Yawn.....

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