Beckham hopes to be role model to Rooney By By Peter Jenson (www.timesonline.co.uk) Updated: 2005-09-20 09:24
“I’d like to think I can be an example to him. Wayne respects all the senior
players in the England team and all the senior players respect the younger
players. And he has got experienced players at United like Roy Keane that he can
look up to — that is the sort of person he needs to follow.”
Long before he was directing flying boots at him, Beckham had the guiding
hand of Sir Alex Ferguson on his shoulder to help him deal with his first season
back in England after becoming public enemy No 1 for his World Cup moment of
madness.“I am sure Sir Alex Ferguson has got the situation in hand,” Beckham
said. “He gave me a lot of support, as did the players and fans at United. I’ve
always said that in terms of the support he needs he could not be at a better
club. Alex Ferguson doesn’t need me to tell him how to handle players — that is
what he is good at.”
Beckham had a test of composure on Sunday, when Sergio Sánchez, the Espanyol
substitute who was warming up close to the corner flag, shouted just as Beckham
was about to take his kick. Beckham exchanged angry words with the Spaniard, who
later claimed he merely coughed as the kick was taken. Sánchez claimed that
Beckham aimed a slap in his direction after the match, an accusation Beckham
laughed off.
Jonathan Woodgate is likely to play his first match for Real on Wednesday, at
home to Athletic Bilbao. Woodgate’s debut — 17 months after he last played, for
Newcastle United — is likely because of Sergio Ramos’s red card on Sunday and an
injury to Ivan Helguera, his central defensive partner.
“I think he (Woodgate) is certainly ready to play,” Beckham said. “He has
been working hard for a year and a bit now, so he can’t wait to get back out
there. It’s important for him to get in the team and show everybody what a great
player he is.”
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