David Beckham has insisted that one Manchester United legend was a player that footballers like himself “were able to learn” from early in their careers.
The 49-year-old former Manchester United superstar called it time on his legendary playing career in 2013 after a brief spell with Paris Saint-Germain.
David Beckham made a name for himself at Old Trafford and the United legend climbed through the youth academy ranks in the 1990s.
The ex-England captain became a first-team mainstay at United under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and enjoyed a prolific spell at the Red Devils.
Beckham played a key role in United’s treble-winning season and the former United winger lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League and two FA Cups.
One of the famed ‘Class of ’92’ members, the former England international’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson fractured towards the end of his United spell.
Beckham left Old Trafford in 2003 and completed a blockbuster move to Real Madrid, with the United legend lifting a La Liga title during his spell at the club.
Beckham on Man Utd legend’s influence
Both David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson will feature in an upcoming BBC documentary as part of the ‘Legends of Welsh Sport’ series.
The documentary will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Wales on 7th January and will focus on none other than Manchester United legend Mark Hughes.
Mark Hughes had two prolific separate spells at Old Trafford and his first run came to an end in 1986 after he left United and signed for Barcelona.
Following his time at the Camp Nou, including a loan spell at Bayern Munich, Hughes returned to Old Trafford in 1988 and enjoyed incredible success.
During his time at Old Trafford, the ex-Barcelona and United star lifted two Premier League titles, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, three FA Cups and a League Cup.
Beckham has previously opened up about the influence that Hughes had on him and he has now talked up the impact that ‘Sparky’ had on emerging players.
“There are certain players that played for United over the years that set the tone of the club,” he said, as per Nation.Cymru.
“We were able to learn from players like Mark. That is why Mark is part of Manchester United history.”
Hughes on Ferguson and Man Utd exit
Mark Hughes left Old Trafford for the second time in 1995 and was sold to Chelsea, with the United legend later revealing that Ferguson sent him a personal letter.
Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2021, he said: “Sir Alex wanted to get good value, take the best years and sell for a profit.
“From his point of view, it was good management. I didn’t appreciate it at the time but looking back, I would have done exactly the same thing.
“My relationship with Sir Alex as a player was ‘just enough.’ Then as I got older and became a manager, I became closer to him and understood the decisions he made because I faced them as well.
“He was aware of a bid from Chelsea and didn’t try to block it. It was a message for me to move on and that was difficult because I’d spent the majority of my life at United.
“But in fairness to Sir Alex, he sent me a letter a month afterwards thanking me for my efforts at the club and the good times. I still have that letter. I saw him recently at Walter Smith’s memorial and enjoyed his company.”
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