Manchester, United Kingdom: David Beckham is convinced Manchester United will not endure a title drought similar to that of Liverpool, who last won the championship in 1990.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager in May 2013, United have failed to win the Premier League, though they won 13 titles under the Scotsman.
Asked if there was a fear the club could slip away after so many years at the top, Beckham said: “I can’t see that happening to Manchester United. I never think we’ll not be in contention to win trophies. There’s too much history. Obviously you have to stay on the ball with that. But there’s too much embedded into this club to let it slip away like that.”
Beckham, who will captain a Great Britain and Ireland team against The Rest of the World in a match on behalf of Unicef at Old Trafford next month, was at United when the club failed to win the title for three seasons, from 2003-06.
“There was a couple of seasons where we didn’t win things. We ended up with the FA Cup but not doing well in the Champions League and the Premiership. So these things do happen at clubs.
“We have been spoilt over the years — over the last 20 years of being so successful. When the manager leaves and David Gill [the chief executive] leaves and a number of players retire like Scholesy [Paul Scholes] and Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], no matter what club it is, or how much money you have behind you, there is going to be a dip in trophies, but unfortunately when you are Manchester United you can’t really have that.”
Louis van Gaal’s side are in third place right now, though there continues to be criticism that the style can be mundane. Beckham insisted he would like to play for the team.
“Yeah, because I enjoy playing football anywhere,” the 40-year-old said. “It doesn’t matter who it was for or which players we had in the side, I always enjoyed playing the game. It’s hard for me to say whether it’s exciting or not. That’s down to you guys to report on. But I’d still love to play in this side.”
Beckham believes Wayne Rooney, who turns 30 this month, will have to reinvent himself as a footballer at some stage and drop back into midfield. “I think when you get older, you have to adapt your play. Giggsy was a prime example. He got to a certain age and then he dropped into midfield a lot more and played that central role. I think Wayne will do the same.
“He’s an out-and-out goalscorer but at the end of the day with Wayne, he’s proved he can step into the midfield and play. If you’re comfortable on the ball, as players such as Wayne and Giggsy are, you can do that.”
Rooney has only one Premier League goal since April 4 and it is approaching a year since he last scored in the competition away from home. Yet Beckham backed him.
“I don’t think you can ever write off a player that’s scored the number of goals he has for England and Manchester United,” he said. “Being the player he is and has been over the years, you can never write off someone like that. Players like that can always make you eat your words.”
The Unicef game featuring Great Britain & Ireland versus The Rest of the World is at 3pm on November 14 at Old Trafford.
— Guardian News & Media Ltd
