Manchester United: David's First Team
· Beckham made his first appearance for United's first-team in 1992, as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion, and signed his first professional contract shortly afterwards.
· On December 7th, 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–nil victory against Galatasaray in the final game of the group stage. However, this victory was almost pointless as they finished third out of fourth in their group behind FC Barcelona on goal difference.
· He then went to Preston North End on loan for part of the 1994–95 season. He scored two goals in five appearances, notably scoring directly from a corner kick. Beckham returned to Manchester and finally made his Premier League debut for Manchester United on April 2nd, 1995, in a goal-less draw against Leeds United.
· At the beginning of the 1996–97 season David Beckham was given the number 10 shirt that had most recently been worn by Mark Hughes.
· On August 17th, 1996 (the first day of the Premier League season), Beckham became something worth watching when he scored a spectacular goal in a match against Wimbledon. With United leading 2–0, Beckham noticed that Wimbledon's goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was standing a long way out of his goal, and hit a shot from the halfway line that floated over the goalkeeper and into the net. The shot was voted #18 on the list of “100 Greatest Sports Moments.”
· On 18 May 1997, Eric Cantona retired as a player and left the #7 jersey, which Beckham happily picked up, leaving the #10 jersey for an incoming player.
· In the 1998–99 season, he was part of the United team that won The Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, a notable accomplishment for English football. There had been speculation that the criticism that he had received after being sent off in the World Cup would lead to him leaving England, but he decided to stay at Manchester United.
· Victoria was said to be a negative influence when David was sent off the field for a deliberate foul in Manchester United’s World Club Championship match against Necaxa.
· By the early 2000s, the relationship between Ferguson and Beckham had begun to deteriorate. In 2000, Beckham was given permission to miss training to look after his son Brooklyn, who had gastroenteritis. Ferguson was furious when Victoria Beckham was photographed at a London Fashion Week event on the same night, claiming that Beckham would have been able to train if Victoria had looked after Brooklyn that day. David’s consequence was getting fined the maximum amount that was permitted.
· Beckham helped United retain the Premier League title in 1999–2000. After being pushed by Arsenal and Leeds United for much of the season, United won their final 11 league games of the season, with Beckham scoring five goals. He managed six league goals that season, and scored eight goals in all competitions.
· On 10 April 2002, Beckham was injured during a Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruña, breaking the second metatarsal bone in his left foot. There was speculation in the British media that the injury might have been caused deliberately, as the player who had injured Beckham was Argentine Aldo Duscher, and England and Argentina were due to meet in that year's World Cup. The injury prevented Beckham from playing for United for the rest of the season.
· 2001–02 was arguably Beckham's best season as a Manchester United player, even though he got injured. He scored 11 goals in 28 league games, and a total of 16 goals in 42 games in all competitions, the best of his career.
· Following an injury early in the 2002–03 season, Beckham was unable to regain his place on the Manchester United team, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær having replaced him on the right side of midfield.
· David’s relationship with his manager deteriorated further on 15 February 2003 when, in the changing room following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, a furious Alex Ferguson kicked a cleat that struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut that required stitches. The incident led to a great deal of speculation involving Beckham, with people questioning who would leave first, Beckham or Ferguson.
· Although the team had started the season badly, their results improved greatly from December onwards and they won the league, with Beckham managing a total of 11 goals in 52 games in all competitions.
· Beckham had made 265 Premier league appearances for United and scored 61 goals. He also made 81 Champions league appearances, scoring 15 goals. Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one European Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, and one FA Youth Cup in the space of 12 years.
· On December 7th, 1994, Beckham made his UEFA Champions League debut, scoring a goal in a 4–nil victory against Galatasaray in the final game of the group stage. However, this victory was almost pointless as they finished third out of fourth in their group behind FC Barcelona on goal difference.
· He then went to Preston North End on loan for part of the 1994–95 season. He scored two goals in five appearances, notably scoring directly from a corner kick. Beckham returned to Manchester and finally made his Premier League debut for Manchester United on April 2nd, 1995, in a goal-less draw against Leeds United.
· At the beginning of the 1996–97 season David Beckham was given the number 10 shirt that had most recently been worn by Mark Hughes.
· On August 17th, 1996 (the first day of the Premier League season), Beckham became something worth watching when he scored a spectacular goal in a match against Wimbledon. With United leading 2–0, Beckham noticed that Wimbledon's goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was standing a long way out of his goal, and hit a shot from the halfway line that floated over the goalkeeper and into the net. The shot was voted #18 on the list of “100 Greatest Sports Moments.”
· On 18 May 1997, Eric Cantona retired as a player and left the #7 jersey, which Beckham happily picked up, leaving the #10 jersey for an incoming player.
· In the 1998–99 season, he was part of the United team that won The Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, a notable accomplishment for English football. There had been speculation that the criticism that he had received after being sent off in the World Cup would lead to him leaving England, but he decided to stay at Manchester United.
· Victoria was said to be a negative influence when David was sent off the field for a deliberate foul in Manchester United’s World Club Championship match against Necaxa.
· By the early 2000s, the relationship between Ferguson and Beckham had begun to deteriorate. In 2000, Beckham was given permission to miss training to look after his son Brooklyn, who had gastroenteritis. Ferguson was furious when Victoria Beckham was photographed at a London Fashion Week event on the same night, claiming that Beckham would have been able to train if Victoria had looked after Brooklyn that day. David’s consequence was getting fined the maximum amount that was permitted.
· Beckham helped United retain the Premier League title in 1999–2000. After being pushed by Arsenal and Leeds United for much of the season, United won their final 11 league games of the season, with Beckham scoring five goals. He managed six league goals that season, and scored eight goals in all competitions.
· On 10 April 2002, Beckham was injured during a Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruña, breaking the second metatarsal bone in his left foot. There was speculation in the British media that the injury might have been caused deliberately, as the player who had injured Beckham was Argentine Aldo Duscher, and England and Argentina were due to meet in that year's World Cup. The injury prevented Beckham from playing for United for the rest of the season.
· 2001–02 was arguably Beckham's best season as a Manchester United player, even though he got injured. He scored 11 goals in 28 league games, and a total of 16 goals in 42 games in all competitions, the best of his career.
· Following an injury early in the 2002–03 season, Beckham was unable to regain his place on the Manchester United team, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær having replaced him on the right side of midfield.
· David’s relationship with his manager deteriorated further on 15 February 2003 when, in the changing room following an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, a furious Alex Ferguson kicked a cleat that struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut that required stitches. The incident led to a great deal of speculation involving Beckham, with people questioning who would leave first, Beckham or Ferguson.
· Although the team had started the season badly, their results improved greatly from December onwards and they won the league, with Beckham managing a total of 11 goals in 52 games in all competitions.
· Beckham had made 265 Premier league appearances for United and scored 61 goals. He also made 81 Champions league appearances, scoring 15 goals. Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one European Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, and one FA Youth Cup in the space of 12 years.
