Beckham urges Man Utd flops to prove ‘motivated’

Issued at: 05/09/2024 – 22:19

2 minutes

Former United star Beckham was in Manchester on Thursday to attend the premiere of a new documentary about the club’s 1999 treble-winning team.

Beckham was a key figure in the United side that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup under legendary boss Alex Ferguson.

Now, the former England captain’s company Studio 99 has played a role in the production of ’99’, a three-part series that launches on May 17.

Twenty-five years on from his role in that epic treble, Beckham has addressed the current malaise at Old Trafford.

United manager Erik ten Hag is fighting to avoid the sack as his side languish in eighth place in the Premier League after Monday’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

Beckham believes the players must take their share of the blame, saying: “You would hope the manager doesn’t have to do much.

“I think that’s the point of being a Manchester United player and playing in these big games – you should be motivated.”

Ten Hag’s difficult second season in charge could be saved if United beat arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

And Beckham hopes United’s current crop can prove they deserve a long-term future at the club by shining at Wembley as they look to avenge last season’s loss to City in the final.

“When you’re a professional footballer and you’re doing the job you love and you’re at the club you love, when you play any game, whether it’s a regular season game or an FA Cup final against your rivals, that should should be motivation enough,” he said.

“And if it’s not, then you’re on the wrong team and playing the wrong sport. I attended every match, whether it was a youth cup match, a friendly, an off-season or a European Cup final. , with the same mentality and the same drive.

“We all know that Erik is a very skilled manager and a good manager and that he has the right reasons.”

Beckham, a member of United’s famous ‘Class of 92’, which also included Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt, won six Premier League titles, a Champions League and numerous other honors in 11 years before retiring with Real Madrid.

The 49-year-old, a childhood United fan, admits he has been disheartened by the club’s struggles since their last Premier League crown in Ferguson’s final season in 2013.

“Obviously it’s been a tough five, 10, 15 years at United and we all know that, but it’s never going to be easy when the boss’s gone, (Roy) Keane’s gone, Giggsy (Ryan Giggs) gone, Gary (Neville) He left. ,” he said.

“All these important players, personalities and characters have left United, it will always be a difficult time.

“We want the boys to feel – from this documentary – the inspiration to have this success.”

© 2024 AFP