1. Sad, resigned, and a bit relieved. Just wanted the business to end so the club could get on, after the long saga. 2. Depends on who you ask. IMHO, most of the answers have some legitimacy: a. Fergie thought Beckham's lifestyle was a negative influence, and Fergie couldn't tolerate it. b. Beckham was not an exceedingly effective player in a 4-5-1. c. Beckham was having more trouble with EPL opposition, as opponents had learned that his strenths could be marginalized by tight marking (lack of pace, lack of dribbling complicated matters). I think that both sides of the argument have a case. Beckham wasn't as effective as he once was, but simultaneously... he was still an excellent player. In the end, I think that if we'd just used the Beckham money to purchase Ronaldinho... none of this would be an issue at all.
haven is right with all the things he said. The other factor was the background - Becks had two years left on his deal and his advisors wanted a mega-deal way beyond what any other footballer in the world had been given (against a backdrop of reducing wages owing to less TV money). So Man U had two choices, pay up, sell him or let him go for free a year or two later. No doubt SAF said that in footballing terms for havens reasons, he wasn't worth the mega-deal. Becks has not told the truth - his advisors had already sought a deal with Real, so he managed to make it look like he was forced to leave. It is no secret Posh wanted him to leave, sad thing for Becks is that she went back on her word to move the family out there too. There is no doubt that Becks was becomming less effective. Mark him tight on the wing and he cannot deliver - he cannot dribble and has no pace. Having said that, he worked hard for the team, was deadly at free kicks and you couldn't keep out of the game for ninety minutes. He only needed a bit of space to deliver a killer pass. Also, he has shown a new dimension in being able to play in the middle. A creative player in the middle is something we have lacked when Scholes is injured / suspended. Would I want Becks in the team. Yes. Would I want Becks in the team, paid more than anyother player (RVN, Keane etc.). No. The image thing that surrounds Becks these days is not worth the monthly salary it costs - even if it does sell more shirts. He is a great player though and for me a pretty honest decent guy.
Oh yeah, one other thing. The thing that annoys me most about the Becks sale was the replacement. Sellling Becks fine. Buying Ronaldo with half the money. Fantastic. But .. Not getting any other decent cover for right-wing when SAF knew he wasn't going to play Ronaldo there regularly is stupid. Playing Fletcher there when he offers nothing offensively has annoyed me intensely this season. With Giggs underperforming we have been a shadow of what we once were with Becks / Giggs. If we buy a decent winger or two, then the Becks sale will be far less painfull.