Beckham urges Man Utd flops to prove they are motivated

LONDON, MAY 10: David Beckham has urged Manchester Uniteds flops to prove they are motivated to play for the troubled club.

Former United star Beckham was in Manchester on Thursday to attend the premiere of a new documentary about the clubs 1999 treble-winning side.

Beckham was a key figure in the United team that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup under legendary boss Alex Ferguson.
Now the former England captains Studio 99 company have 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 triumph, Beckham addressed the current malaise at Old Trafford.

United manager Erik ten Hag is fighting to avoid the sack with his team languishing in eighth place in the Premier League after Mondays embarrassing 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace.

Beckham believes the players must take their share of the blame, saying: "Youd hope that the manager doesn have to do much.
"I think thats the whole point of being a Manchester United player and playing in these big games - you should be motivated."

Ten Hags difficult second season in charge could be salvaged if United beat arch rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

And Beckham hopes Uniteds current crop can prove they deserve long-term futures at the club by shining at Wembley as they look to avenge last seasons loss to City in the final.

"When you e a professional footballer and you e doing the job you love and you e at the club you love, when you e playing in any game, whether its a regular season game or whether its an FA Cup final against your rivals, that should be enough motivation," he said.

"And, if its not, then you e in the wrong team and you e playing the wrong sport. We went into every game, whether it was a youth cup game, a friendly game, off-season or a European Cup final, with the same mentality and the same drive.

"We all know Eriks a very qualified manager and a good manager and he has the right motives."

Beckham, a member of Uniteds famed Class of 92 that also included Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt, won six Premier League titles, one Champions League and numerous other honours during 11 years before joining Real Madrid.

The 49-year-old, a boyhood United fan, admits he has been discouraged by the clubs problems since their last Premier League crown in Fergusons final season in 2013.

"Obviously its been a tough five, 10, 15 years at United and we all know that but it was never going to be easy when the boss left, (Roy) Keane left, Giggsy (Ryan Giggs) left, Gary (Neville) left," he said.    —AFP