THE CASE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING

David Beckham credits his career to Sir Alex Ferguson for giving him his start at Manchester United

The English midfielder completed 90 minutes against his old club Manchester United on Wednesday night as part of the MLS All-Star team. In addition to his fan allegiance to the reigning English champion, the shared history made it an emotional venture for the 36-year-old midfielder.


“Obviously, to play against Manchester United still with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, still with some of the players I played with and the fans I played in front of for many years, is emotional,” Beckham said. “It's always going to be emotional coming up against Manchester United. It's always difficult as well.”


MLS quickly learned just how difficult playing the Red Devils can be. Two goals against the run of play in the first half paved the way for a comprehensive 4-0 win to the team still in preseason preparations.


Beckham wasn't surprised at the gap in the scoreline.


“If you play at that level you don't stop at one-, two-nil,” the midfielder said. “You want to work hard because you want to get your fitness. You're not playing at a club like Manchester United to go through the motions and just to win 1-0.”


That competitive mentality saw Man United win the Premier League season with perhaps a more functional than glitzy roster. It's the same sort of mentality the side used to win the 1999 treble, Beckham claims, and it starts in the youth teams.


“Any new player who comes into Manchester United, they feel that straight away,” the LA Galaxy Designated Player said. “That seems instilled into you from a very young age as a Manchester United youth team player and it carries on all the way through the team. It's [a] never-say-die attitude, is what Manchester United have.”


Shane Evans
Goal.com
July 28, 2011