David Beckham is probably one of the biggest names in world football. The son of two fanatical Manchester United supporting parents who would regularly travel from London to watch the games at Old Trafford. Beckham's affiliation and love of Manchester United began at an early age, evening appearing as the club mascot before a game against West Ham in 1986.
Born in 1975, Beckham had showed great promise as a youngster and signed schoolboy terms at the age of 14, before joining United on a youth training scheme in 1991.
David Beckham formed part of the United youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1992, scoring a goal in the final. He also made his first team debut in a League Cup game, but it was to be some time before he would become a regular first team player. He appeared in another youth cup final, although this time they lost to Leeds United. The following year he won a medal as the reserve team won their league.
Beckham's first team league debut wasn't until April 1995, when he played against Leeds United. He made 4 league appearances that season as United finished second in the Premier League to Blackburn Rovers, just missing out on a third successive title.
During the 1995-96 season Beckham established himself as a first team regular, and despite being 10 points adrift of leaders Newcastle United at Christmas, went on an impressive run and overturned Newcastle's lead to win the Premier League and then won the FA Cup to secure an amazing double. Beckham had now made the right sided midfield role his own as he collected his first medals with the first team.
At the beginning of the 1996-97 Beckham scored against Wimbledon, which became one of his most famous goals, as he kicked the ball speculatively from the half way line which sailed over the head of the Wimbledon goalkeeper and into the goal. The season saw Manchester United win the Premier League again, and Beckham made his first appearances for England and he was voted as the Young Player of the Year for that season.
The 1998 season was a disappointment for both club and country, as the Reds lost the League title to Arsenal, and although Beckham went to the World Cup with England, he was sent off after kicking Diego Simeone, and 10 man England lost to Argentina, in the first knock out stage.
The disappointments of 1998 were soon forgotten as Manchester United went onto to win an amazing treble in 1999. The Reds won the league, FA Cup and then the Champions League final in the dying seconds of the game.
During the 2000 season he won his fourth Premier League medal, but the Reds failed to retain the Champions League trophy. The 2001 season won the premier league again, and Beckham was made captain of the England team, following in the footsteps of his boyhood Man United hero Bryan Robson.
The 2002-03 season was be David Beckham's last at Manchester United, and after much speculation he joined Real Madrid at the end of the season, after 394 appearances and scoring 85 goals for the club
Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of Manchester United football souvenirs which are available from the man united shop all items are available to ship worldwide.
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