Beckham must focus on nurturing club
Stephen Wood, Reuters, London
David Beckham, his name already ingrained in English society, seems to have become something of a father figure for the nation in recent months.
The guardian of England's captivating World Cup journey in June, Beckham showed his paternal instincts in a poignant Commonwealth Games opening ceremony alongside a terminally ill six-year-old girl earlier this month.
He was then called on to issue a public plea last week urging two missing 10-year-old girls in Cambridgeshire to return home, after they vanished wearing shirts with his famous surname on the back.
It is safe to say the British government's pamphlet advising fathers how to bond with their children will not be landing on Beckham's doormat in the coming weeks, even as he and wife Victoria await the birth of their second child later this year.
But the extra-curricular activities in Beckham's life have again threatened to overshadow his day job.
Alex Ferguson, always wary of Beckham's wavering focus, needs his midfielder's tender loving care brought to bear on Manchester United's fortunes like never before.
With last year's double-winners Arsenal promising to wrest the balance of power away from Old Trafford for good, United cannot countenance another trophyless campaign.
Yet amid the wreckage of their shambolic last term, it was Beckham who salvaged some pride by claiming 16 goals in all competitions, the highest haul of his career.
That sort of return, coupled with his usual number of assists, is required again, not least if Beckham is to hold down his place in United's midfield where he and five other world class talents -- Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Juan Sebastian Veron -- are competing for four places.
Already, Ferguson, the master of man-management, has shaken Beckham up. After a friendly against Italian Serie A club Parma earlier this month, the Scot declared that Beckham needed to improve if he wanted to start the season.
Sure enough, Beckham impressed in his next outing -- a 5-0 victory over Danish team Aarhus -- leaving Ferguson to insist that the England captain was "back to his best".
It was a reminder of their more serious clash midway through last season, when Ferguson dropped an out-of-sorts Beckham, eliciting a grumpy response from the player in the short term but a devastating spell of form when he was recalled.
Then, as now, Ferguson felt Beckham's exertions with England had affected his club form.
The broken bone in his foot, which he suffered towards the end of last season, healed just in time for Beckham to play for England at the World Cup but he was clearly not match fit and returned home in need of significant rest.
Beckham is set to start United's season with their Champions League qualifying tie at Zalaegerszeg on Wednesday, but Ferguson will not hesitate to leave him out if he thinks it best.
In Beckham's nine years as a first team professional with the club, the pair have also clashed over his lifestyle.
The midfielder's fame and fortune will not change, and nor will England's reliance upon their talisman.
Several qualifiers for the 2004 European championship punctuate the domestic season and the nation will expect Beckham to drop everything to lead their latest quest for glory.
It will be interesting to see how long he remains the darling of a fickle English society.
Whatever happens, Ferguson will always be there to support him, showing that, despite the occasional spat, their relationship remains strong.
Beckham, 27, has often been forced to admit that Fergie has always been right. "He's been like a second dad to me," Beckham has said.
As long as he remembers who rules the roost at Old Trafford, United's protege will be alright.