Beckham said this week that he wouldn’t go to another English club, having played with the best, United (of course), the club he supports. I respect that – everyone knows he doesn’t need the money so by publicly saying that he basically won’t be influenced by the bank accounts of Chelsea or (worse) Man City is a respectable position in my eyes. He’s interested in football – playing it and supporting it and he understands that to go against your loyalties when you don’t have to is frowned upon.

To be honest, I never really rated him that much when he was with us. Dead ball situations, fine – he’s got a good right boot on him, but when it comes to movement and aggression on the ball, he always lacked for me a little. I much prefer players like Keane or Cantona, who had real flair with a ball at their feet.

Still, I’ve watched Beckham’s career with interest and as I say, I’ve got a real respect for him for the way he handles himself and the decisions he makes, so here’s a little United tribute to the man who you have to say goes down as one of United’s legendary number sevens. Not sure we’d ever have him back but it’s a nice gesture to say he wouldn’t go anywhere else!

Oh, and I almost forgot – Newcastle at home on Saturday and Phil’s managed to get me a ticket to his work’s corporate box. Sweet!