BECKHAM BIDS FAREWELL TO OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester United turned David Beckham into an international superstar and on Tuesday he bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford before he quits European soccer for the US. Beckham joined United in 1989 aged 14, debuted in 1992, and transferred to Real Madrid in 2003. In July, he's expected to start a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. "The time I spent at this club was the best time in my whole football career," Beckham told the 74,000-sellout crowd at halftime of a charity match won 4-3 by United over a Europe XI. Injury forced him to withdraw from the star-studded European side which faced United to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the EU and the Red Devils' half century of play in continental soccer. Since he moved to Spain, the 31-year-old had returned to the stadium in northwest England as England captain but hadn't been able to personally thank United for 14 trophy-filled years. "I've waited four years to actually come back and to actually say thank you to the fans and the people of the club," he said. Beckham won six English Premier League titles and a Champions League medal during his United career. He told supporters that he was grateful for the strong support shown in his darkest hour. In 1998 he became a public hate figure after being sent off for England in a World Cup match against Argentina. On the pitch, he publicly supported his former manager Alex Ferguson, who struck Beckham's eye with a soccer boot in a dressing room bust-up on the eve of his departure. "Everybody knows here that you've got the best manager in the world at this club," Beckham told the crowd to rapturous applause. "David Beckham had some great years here. He came as a boy, all his formative years were here. It was a great learning foundation here before he went to Madrid," Ferguson said.

BECKHAM TO MISS 4 WEEKS WITH INJURED KNEE

David Beckham will be sidelined for a month after hurting a knee ligament during a Spanish League game last weekend, an injury that eliminated his chance of being recalled to England's national team for European Championship qualifiers this month. The 31-year-old midfielder hurt his right knee during Real Madrid's 1-1 tie with Getafe on Sunday when his momentum following a cross took him into an advertising sign behind the goal. He limped off the field and a scan Monday revealed the injured ligament. Beckham missed three games in November due to an injured left knee, which he hurt at the World Cup. Beckham agreed in January to a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy worth about $27.5 million in base salary, His contract with Real Madrid ends June 30, and the Galaxy expect he will join the team in August. Beckham was taken off in the 69th minute, 37 minutes after teammate Jose Antonio Reyes was carried off on a stretcher after hurting his left knee. Both will miss Wednesday's European Champions League game at Bayern Munich. Famous for his bending free kicks and crosses, Beckham has 17 goals in 94 appearances for England. He was captain for 58, stepping down after England was eliminated in last year's World Cup quarterfinals. Beckham has not played for England since. His wife, Victoria, is a former member of the Spice Girls, and the pair are expected to provide a boost to MLS in attendance and television ratings. Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello benched him from Dec. 20 until Feb. 10. When Beckham first agreed to a contract with the Galaxy, the coach said he wouldn't play for Real Madrid again, but Capello then changed his mind.

BECKHAM STILL HOPES TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND

David Beckham believes he could play for the national team when he's thousands of kilometres away with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The former England captain, who was dropped after last year's World Cup, will join the Major League Soccer club after his contract with Real Madrid ends in June. Although Beckham hasn't been able to win back his England spot while in Spain, he sees no reason why he shouldn't return while a Galaxy player. "I will still be available for England when I'm playing over there," he told The Sun in an interview published Friday. "Even though the seasons don't run alongside each other, I'm a fit player who has always been able to perform even if I've had a month or two months off. "I will never retire from England, never." Beckham says he is still disappointed he was dropped by England coach Steve McClaren and wants to get his place back so that he can play for his country at the new 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium, which is scheduled to open within the next two months. "That is still in my dreams. In reality we have to wait and see," he said. "It's not down to me, it's one for the manager. But I'd love to play at Wembley for England." Beckham, who has played 94 times for his country, said he saw his move to MLS as helping to improve the image of soccer in the United States. "It's about being an ambassador for the MLS and taking football to a different level in the States," he said. "I'd be stupid to think I can make it as big as baseball, basketball and American football. "That's not going to happen. I'm not going there thinking I'm going to change everything. My aim is to help the kids in America enjoy football.

BECKHAM SENDING-OFF WRONG - MIJATOVIC

David Beckham's dismissal for Real Madrid on Saturday night was another example of poor refereeing, according to the club's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic. Beckham was given his marching orders in injury-time at the end of Madrid's goalless draw with Real Betis, the 31-year-old being shown a straight red by referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez for his tackle on Jose Isidoro after he thought he had been fouled himself. And Mijatovic believes that incident was one in a string of refereeing decisions which have gone against his side at the Bernabeu this season, saying: "The sending-off of Beckham was a clear passage of play. We received a clear foul and it turned into a sending-off for our player." He added: "A (Betis) player on a yellow elbows Robinho and the referee, who is half a metre away, does nothing. I don't know what has happened but I have the feeling the referees are against us. "There were plays and cards that I did not understand, nor does anybody. We are not going to complain but it is necessary to highlight it. We have always remained quiet but the time has come to say something." Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Beckham's challenge only warranted a booking. "It was just behind the play and I feel a yellow card would have been sufficient," the Dutchman said.