It feels like United fans could do with a helpline with all the retirements that have happened this week but the end of Beckham still has a affinity with the United fans.
Like many players that leave United there career usually goes downhill but Beckham showed some resilience and reinvented and his career maintained it's high level with title wins in France, Spain and USA.
His stats for United were impressive:-
United appearances 394
United goals 85
England appearances 115
England goals 17
Premiership titles 6
FA Cup 2
FA community shield 4
FA Youth cup 1
UEFA champions league 1
FIFA world club 1
He also holds some fantastic feats such as first English man to win titles in 4 different countries, first England player to score in 3 different world cup Finals and first British player to get to 100 appearances in the UEFA champions league.
He made his debut for United in 1992 in the league cup against Brighton and signed a professional contract shortly afterwards. He made his league debut in 1995 against Leeds United following a spell on loan at Preston. That summer saw a number of United players exit the club and the new brood of young players were drafted in including Beckham and they started the season in a 3-1 defeat at Villa and prompting Alan Hansen on match of the day to say 'you'll win nothing with kids' that season ended with United completing the double!
He has had some memorable moments at United including the halfway line goal on the opening 96-97 season against Wimbledon. He was a pivotal figure in the treble season in 1999 after returning to England from the world cup as the most hated figure in the country (How fickle fans can be- he was a hero 4 years later dragging England into the world cup!). He set up countless goals for Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solksjaer. He scored the crucial goal in the game United had to win to win the league against Tottenham.
In Europe he really excelled with some fantastic goals I remember against Barcelona and Real Madrid and his debut when he scored against Galatasary. He will be fondly thought of at United for his workrate up and down the pitch, not the most skilful player in the world but his ability to cross a ball and his deadball delivery and shots were the benchmark for the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.
He did make an emotional return to Old Trafford with Milan where eventually his team lost 4-0 but the whole crowd cheered his name and even prompted Fergie to Sign him up, it never happened but at least he could say goodbye following his rapid exit from Old Trafford in 2003.
In all Beckham has played over 800 competitive games and a legend wherever he has played and that is the true mark of the man. Happy retirement Becks.
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