David Beckham has shed light on the conversation that led to Sir Alex Ferguson kicking a boot at his head during their time together at Manchester United in 2003.
Just before Beckham’s departure from United to Real Madrid, tabloid photos surfaced showing the England star with a cut above his left eye.
This injury was a result of Ferguson’s anger following United’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round. However, Beckham has now revealed that he shared some responsibility for the incident.
“We walked in the changing room and the boss is fuming,” the United legend said in the newly released Netflix documentary titled Beckham. “I can see it in his face. And when you see the boss’s face like this, you don’t want to be anywhere near him. It is a face that no one can do, trust me.
“[He was f’ing and blinding] and I went back at the boss and said ‘no’ and then I swore. I said the f-word. And then I saw him change, and I was like, ‘S***, I really shouldn’t have said that’. I think I said the f-word too many times.” On the photos of a bandaged Beckham that appeared in the press, Ferguson says, “I think that was stage-managed. It wasn’t even worth a stitch.”
Beckham ended up joining Real Madrid a few months later, although in the documentary he claims he never wanted to leave Old Trafford. “It was my home. My relationship with the boss was always special. We had our moments, but I still loved him,” he said.
Ferguson countered that by saying, “The decision was made; it was better he [Beckham] went. He didn’t need to go. He could have stayed if he wanted. I think he knew it was the right time.”
Beckham was among the world’s elite players back then, and now, two decades later, he’s collaborating with another one. The former England captain serves as a co-owner of the MLS team Inter Miami, which happens to be home to Lionel Messi.