Becks in The Guardian, 2 hours ago...

[jammybastard]

the Cold War is over...rapproachment in order?

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1929985,00.html

Beckham warming to Ferguson again as Real deal pales

Simon Talbot in Madrid
Tuesday October 24, 2006
The Guardian

David Beckham has given his strongest hint yet that he would be prepared to bury the hatchet with Sir Alex Ferguson, opening up the possibility of a return to Old Trafford in the summer should Manchester United want him. Beckham's contract expires on June 30, 2007, when he will become available on a free transfer, aged 32.

Read the rest.

My take:
Both Becks and our club have been good for each other.
Yoko, *ahem*, Posh got between Becks and Fergie...not football.
The club knew they made a mistake when they sold him, but he doesn't fit in the team now.

Still, there is a distinct buisness advantage to bringing him home from the wilderness for a final season as a sub.
Sell some shirts, give him a proper send off for years of good service, and give him some closure with the only club he ever loved.

Then send him to the US to bling-up the MLS.
:D

[Stud83]

I'd expect Beckham to go to USA or one of the Asian leagues after Real. I don't see any reason why he would consider retuning to MU and more importantly, why we would consider bringing him back. It's not like he'd be guaranteed a starting place.
I am all for testimonial though - but it probably won't happen for the next 3-4 years.

[warmkjos]

If Beckham wants to come back, and if SAF will let him, that's great for our club.

Beckham was a terrific player at Old Trafford, maybe he can regain that form here. His style fits us well, but it doesn't fit in Spain at all. He can send in crosses for Saha (who has become a pretty good header), take free kicks and corners, and provides good defensive cover as he always runs back to help.

I'd say Beckham is at least on par with Giggs who still plays a big part in our side, so why wouldn't Beckham also be a big part. He could still start for us, I believe. He could come in and show Fletcher how to do it for a couple years. I think Fletcher has been trying to emulate Beckham's style (minus the flash and the free kicks), maybe he can play even more like him if they are in the same side.

[loghyr]

If he goes back, it is nostalgia and because it is a safe place.

He has to face reality that he now needs to compete for starts. Perhaps Real Madrid is no longer the answer for him, but he needs to look forwards and not backwards.

He took a pounding for a great effort this summer. He needs to get his confidence back and start contributing.

[JC7rox]

I'd say Beckham is at least on par with Giggs who still plays a big part in our side, so why wouldn't Beckham also be a big part. He could still start for us, I believe. He could come in and show Fletcher how to do it for a couple years. I think Fletcher has been trying to emulate Beckham's style (minus the flash and the free kicks), maybe he can play even more like him if they are in the same side.

:eek: Are you serious?

Beckham, in his best form of all his life, was never, is never, will never be on par with Giggs. That is insane. I would not bench Giggs nor Ronaldo to field Beckham. You're absolutley nuts. Here, he'd be just another squad player, just as he is at Madrid. I wouldn't hate it if he came, but I don't see how he can still start here. And that Giggs comment, :eek: :rolleyes: .

Now, if he went to the Galaxy. That is a different story altogether.

[mhtwins113]

I don't mind Becks per se, as long as he doesn't make a fuss and accepts being a squaddie then by all means, welcome back. We could use the extra midfield depth on a free, plus the bump in shirt sales.

[yikchi]

Becks was one of my favourite player... the key word is WAS.
Him coming back will just be a major distraction for the club. Plus, at this point of his career he is no upgrade over Solsjaer, Fletcher, J.S. Park when he is played on the right side of midfield.

A Red Bull or Galaxy jersey would be more appropriate for him.

[Ronaldo07]

it doesn't matter if hes not a upgrade on Fletcher, Ole or Park, he wouldnt get past Ronaldo and he wouldn't be happy on the bench if hes leaving Madrid to get his England place back.

[billyireland]

While it would be nice to have Beckham back for one lastr season, probably only as a squaddie, to give him a last hurrah, it would alsobe a noteable step backwards for the club. Ruud is gone. Keane is gone. So are Butt & Phil. While the following three are still crucial players for us, Gary, Ole & Giggs are approaching their last legs, and Scholes will probably be phased out in the near future, too.

Fletcher is in. As is Vidic; Evra too. Heinze & Ferdinand are fully established. Carrick is here. Jones is (hopefullly at some stage) coming into the fold. Ronaldo has blossomed into a wonderful player, rather than a trickster. Rooney is the main cog in the machine, and Saha fits the team so well and is the established starting forward.

In the next year or two we need to give shots to Martin, Rossi, Evans, Pique, Bardsley & Simpson (as well as probably Gibson, who may be a little further down the line), and see how they fare. For years and years we have been trying to get rid of the legendary elder statesmen of the squad in order to bring in younger talents in their place, while still competing. We are approaching the final few hurdles in that regard, at long, long last.

Last year Beckham back would have been helpful. This/next season he would have Ronaldo & imo, Fletcher ahead of him in the pecking order. When Park returns it is more important for the team to get him more and more comfortable with the squad than it is to give Beckham a few cameos. Centrally, Becks isn't even an option for us.

So again, while it would be nice to see Beckham back in a United jersey for one last season, it is just not worth it imo. We would not only be risking sacrificing short-term results, but we would also be (further) pushing back the move to bring the youngsters in and make them stars.

Thumbs down from me..

[FIFARay007]

I'm definitely torn on this one. Granted you don't take Giggs or Ronaldo out to field Becks, but he might be able to fit into the middle next to Smith. Becks would just need to prove his place in the lineup, but I think he can still help us.

[sdotsom]

Smith? He isn't playing in the middle for this club anymore. Fergie said that in preseason...Smith is a forward for all intents and purposes.

[blanc]

When you consider the best games he has had in Spain, and the likelihood of him reproducing those performances regularly for United (obvious reasons), I think he would be a stellar reunion, especially as just another midfield option.

Becks managed 91 goal-possible-assists (its quite a loaded term, I know; there is a magazine/website that actually recorded these statistics, I promise!) for Real Madrid last season, if hes back into the League that thrives on headers, long balls etc, he will be fine imo.

[warmkjos]

:eek: Are you serious?

Beckham, in his best form of all his life, was never, is never, will never be on par with Giggs. That is insane. I would not bench Giggs nor Ronaldo to field Beckham. You're absolutley nuts. Here, he'd be just another squad player, just as he is at Madrid. I wouldn't hate it if he came, but I don't see how he can still start here. And that Giggs comment, :eek: :rolleyes: .

Now, if he went to the Galaxy. That is a different story altogether.

I think your exagerating here. If you recall, in 1999, after we won the Treble, Beckham finished in Second Place for the World Player of the Year, behind Rivaldo. Giggs has never been that high. This may have been due to Beck's insane popularity and pop star status, but Beckham was definetly as good as, if not better, than Giggs for a lot of his time at United. Beckham is a better crosser, better at free kicks, and a better defensive player than Giggs. I think Beckham has his legs under him still, as opposed to Giggs, who I notice is definetly slowing down and can't play every week anymore. Of course, Giggs could probably still take Beckham in a 100 yd dash, but Beckham would win a mile run against him.

I also never said I would bench Giggs or C. Ronaldo for Beckham. I would just put Beckham in a rotation with C. Ronaldo, Giggs, and Fletcher. Right now SAF has been playing Giggs about every other game. Cristiano pretty much starts every week, rotating from left to right midfield as Fletcher and Giggs take turns sitting out (of course SAF played Fletcher and Giggs and not Ronaldo this weekend).

Beckham would get turns to start, but wouldn't necessarily be first choice. It just gives us another option, and I do think he is an upgrade on Fletcher, at least right now. Of course, Fletcher needs more PT to get better.

[JC7rox]

I think your exagerating here. If you recall, in 1999, after we won the Treble, Beckham finished in Second Place for the World Player of the Year, behind Rivaldo. Giggs has never been that high. This may have been due to Beck's insane popularity and pop star status, but Beckham was definetly as good as, if not better, than Giggs for a lot of his time at United. Beckham is a better crosser, better at free kicks, and a better defensive player than Giggs.


FIFA awards=B.S.

You're right about the reason he was there was because he is high profile. FIFA loves the high profile players. Giggs is proud to be Welsh, and for that reason, it seems all consideration for things from FIFA are out of order.

Its your opinion that Beckham was just as good as Giggs and probably better for most of his time here. Ludicrous, is that you? I disagree, from the tips of my toenails, to the top of my hair. They were both integral parts of our team in the 90's, but as players go, Giggs has always been better than Becks. He broke into the team a lot earlier for a reason. When you think of the best wingers ever, Beckham doesn't come to the debate, Giggs does. Well, maybe Beckham enters your debate, but not any I've been in. A lot of plaudits Davey got at those times, and from magazines, were based on his wife, his looks, and the fact that he played for us. He was good, but not in Giggs league. Never in Giggsy's league.

I wonder, did you have a mohawk in 2002?;) :D

[littleman]

I think your exagerating here. If you recall, in 1999, after we won the Treble, Beckham finished in Second Place for the World Player of the Year, behind Rivaldo. Giggs has never been that high. This may have been due to Beck's insane popularity and pop star status, but Beckham was definetly as good as, if not better, than Giggs for a lot of his time at United. Beckham is a better crosser, better at free kicks, and a better defensive player than Giggs. I think Beckham has his legs under him still, as opposed to Giggs, who I notice is definetly slowing down and can't play every week anymore. Of course, Giggs could probably still take Beckham in a 100 yd dash, but Beckham would win a mile run against him.


Yes, Beckham is a better DEAD BALL player than Giggs is. In fact, Beckham was once the BEST dead ball player in the world, and is still probably one of the best even now. But he was in no way a better football player than Giggs, and I don't wish I have to explain why..

To your credit, Beckham did bring alot to the team in terms of work-rate and also supreme threat on crosses, free kicks and corner kicks.

[sdotsom]

Beckham was not a winger though, IMO. He didn't have the ability to beat a man and cut inside, such as Ronaldo does. He was a right midfielder, and he was of the highest quality. He racked up 23 assists that 1999 Cl season. He is a great long-range shooter (people forget who scored our first goal in 1999 FA Cup game against Arsenal, because the second was so incredible), and a dead ball threat (though IMO Juninho is the best dead ball player in the world). For what he brought to the team, he was as good as Giggs. Becks was played for his crossing, Giggs for his wizardry. As football players, Giggs is better, no doubt. But Becks is still a good footballer, and I would have no qualms about bringing him back if he was willing to rotate with Ronaldo and Fletch for playing time. He has one of the highest fitness levels at his age right now, he regularly proves that at Madrid when they post their training information. So he still has quality to offer.

If he was willing to play in the Prem and not for United, then I'd guarantee a return to England for him next year, maybe at Newcastle.

[Dark Savante]

Beckham back at Man UTd :rolleyes:

He's not even good enough for the English NT nor is he good enough for RM. He is 31 yrs old, he is most definitely not going to take a wing spot from Ronaldo, he comes with the world of baggage, he let himself down before leaving this club...giving his all for England and preening and poncing about here. He gets eaten up in La Liga, the softest big league there is and people want to see a 31yr old Beckham back in the 100mph PL?

He's not happy with bench time at Madrid, how do all you deluded souls who think he'd be happy to 'rotate' think he'd react to being way down the pecking order here.

I can only assume this is the sentimentality of a player you love(d) because you started supporting this club when he was at his zenith? There is absolutely no reason, on football grounds, why we'd want him back. Oh, and if he was playing at RM do any of you think he'd be saying all the stuff about Utd :rolleyes:

He got booted and he deserved it. Man Utd are second to no-one. Once he put England and celebrity nonsense over us, he sealed his fate. He made his bed, now he gets to lay in it.

And Ryan Giggs was never contained by anybody. David Beckham was. It says it all.

[MtP07]

Beckham back at Man UTd :rolleyes:

He's not even good enough for the English NT nor is he good enough for RM. He is 31 yrs old, he is most definitely not going to take a wing spot from Ronaldo, he comes with the world of baggage, he let himself down before leaving this club...giving his all for England and preening and poncing about here. He gets eaten up in La Liga, the softest big league there is and people want to see a 31yr old Beckham back in the 100mph PL?

He's not happy with bench time at Madrid, how do all you deluded souls who think he'd be happy to 'rotate' think he'd react to being way down the pecking order here.

I can only assume this is the sentimentality of a player you love(d) because you started supporting this club when he was at his zenith? There is absolutely no reason, on football grounds, why we'd want him back. Oh, and if he was playing at RM do any of you think he'd be saying all the stuff about Utd :rolleyes:

He got booted and he deserved it. Man Utd are second to no-one. Once he put England and celebrity nonsense over us, he sealed his fate. He made his bed, now he gets to lay in it.

And Ryan Giggs was never contained by anybody. David Beckham was. It says it all.

Spot on.

The only reason I think there is even a remote chance Becks will come back is if Uncle Gl*zer makes the deal purely for financial gains. :(

[Dark Savante]

Spot on.

The only reason I think there is even a remote chance Becks will come back is if Uncle Gl*zer makes the deal purely for financial gains. :(
This concerns me the most. :(

Beckham back here would be 100 steps in the wrong direction. The superb player he was who gave his all for Utd and the team is long, long gone. Keep such things as memories, appreciate them and move on.

[JC7rox]

Beckham back at Man UTd :rolleyes:

He's not even good enough for the English NT nor is he good enough for RM. He is 31 yrs old, he is most definitely not going to take a wing spot from Ronaldo, he comes with the world of baggage, he let himself down before leaving this club...giving his all for England and preening and poncing about here. He gets eaten up in La Liga, the softest big league there is and people want to see a 31yr old Beckham back in the 100mph PL?

He's not happy with bench time at Madrid, how do all you deluded souls who think he'd be happy to 'rotate' think he'd react to being way down the pecking order here.

I can only assume this is the sentimentality of a player you love(d) because you started supporting this club when he was at his zenith? There is absolutely no reason, on football grounds, why we'd want him back. Oh, and if he was playing at RM do any of you think he'd be saying all the stuff about Utd :rolleyes:

He got booted and he deserved it. Man Utd are second to no-one. Once he put England and celebrity nonsense over us, he sealed his fate. He made his bed, now he gets to lay in it.

And Ryan Giggs was never contained by anybody. David Beckham was. It says it all.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Dark Savante again.