David Beckham: Manchester City will never match United's dominance - 7M sport

David Beckham: Manchester City will never match United's dominance



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Posted Friday, July 22, 2011 by theguardian.com

• Doubts about Eastlands spirit, says former United man
• 'History – and Sir Alex Ferguson – have set United apart'

David Beckham: Manchester City will never match United's dominance
David Beckham says Manchester City are Premier League contenders but will never reach United's level of dominance.

David Beckham has dismissed Manchester City's ambitions of becoming the dominant force in English football, questioning the team spirit at Eastlands and saying: "They are never going to be Manchester United."

The former United and England player accepts that City are a growing force but believes history counts for more than cash when it comes to fashioning team spirit. "The money that has been pumped in has been incredible," he said. "Players have been bought and that does a lot for the club and for the team. But United have that history and it's not all about paying fortunes for players.

"It's important the players get along with each other – that makes team spirit. As much as they have got the money to bring players in, sometimes that doesn't work. If they continue they will be a threat but there are no guarantees. I don't know. I haven't been around their team and their squad and I wouldn't want to be around Man City. But if they continue to bring players in, then who knows? You saw it with Chelsea when Roman [Abramovich] arrived. They won two leagues and they won them on the trot. It works sometimes but hopefully it won't work at City."

Roberto Mancini, the City manager, responded to Beckham by pointing out his side won last season's FA Cup, the first piece of silverware, he hopes, of many. "Well, we started to win last year, and we want to continue to win in future," he said. "Of course, it's going to be difficult for us to arrive at the point where United are. They have won everything in the last 20 years. But we want to try – and in the future we can improve and talk about this."

Asked about Carlos Tevez, Beckham said he was convinced the City board will spend regardless of what happens with the striker. "Tevez was a really strong player for them last season, so if they lose him it will be disappointing. But they've got a lot behind them, so they can afford to bring world-class players in."

When Beckham was wearing a United shirt (1993-2003), games with City were straightforward. "Every time I played against them it was during a spell when we were winning everything. They were the games the fans looked forward to and wanted us to win, so every time we came up against them we were winning. It was good to be a United player at that time."

Beckham's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson soured towards the end, most notably when the manager threw or kicked a boot into Beckham's face after an FA Cup defeat by Arsenal. He has long since forgiven the Scot, however, and for Beckham "there is no better manager".

"He continues to win year after year. He continues to change the team around. When people think the team's perfect he brings players in and United just carry on. It's not all about spending loads of money. It's about having the right people at the club and in the team, and United always have that.

"I can't see Sir Alex stopping. He is a legend and I have so much respect. He was a father figure to me. He works hard at what he does. He is the best at what he does. He is No1. He is the best manager in football."

At 36, the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder still feels "good and fresh" but has laid to rest the notion he could return to the Premier League and play against United. "I wouldn't like to. I have played for the biggest club in England and I wouldn't like to play against them. I still feel good and fresh but I can't see it happening. The Tottenham thing didn't happen and it didn't happen for a reason. At the end of the day I only want to be known as a Manchester United player and that's the way it will stay."

Beckham's insistence that there will only ever be one team in Manchester should give City some incentive in their tour match against Galaxy on Sunday. Cheekily referring to the match as "just a small game", Beckham said he was looking forward more to the All Stars game against United. "But City coming here will be great for the fans. They will see some great players. There is no extra motivation because it's Man City. It's not special to me because I am a Man Utd fan. They have some great players but they are never gonna be Man Utd."



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