• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
David Beckham refused to leave Man Utd after they 'sold' him to club he didn't want to play for

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Published 13:12 8 May 2025 GMT+1

David Beckham refused to leave Man Utd after they 'sold' him to club he didn't want to play for

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG winger gave his thoughts.

Luke Davies

Luke Davies

David Beckham once refused to leave Manchester United for another elite club before he joined Real Madrid.

Beckham, 50, is arguably the most famous English footballer of all time and has transcended the sport into popular culture like very few others have done or will do.

Of course, his popularity was, no doubt, bolstered by his relationship with former Spice Girls member Victoria Adams – now Beckham.

But his ability on the field should not he overlooked as he enjoyed success at various clubs such as Man United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG as well as being capped by the England national team on 115 occasions.

However, his career could have played out entirely differently if Beckham had not put up a fight.

Advert

Ahead of the 2003 move to Los Blancos, Beckham revealed how another elite club saw a bid accepted by United, but the move did not materialise as Real Madrid was the winger’s “team”.

“My team was always Real Madrid, and funnily enough, I got sold from Manchester United to Barcelona," Beckham told CBS Sports in 2023.

"I was on holiday, Peter Kenyon phoned me and he said: 'We've accepted a bid from Barcelona and we're selling you'.

"I said: 'If you are going to sell me, the only team I want to move to is Real Madrid', because I always had a dream of playing for Real Madrid when I was a young kid.

Advert

David Beckham signed for Real Madrid in 2003 (Credit:Getty)
David Beckham signed for Real Madrid in 2003 (Credit:Getty)

“Never thought I'd leave Manchester United, but if I did, you know, I'd love to have played for Real Madrid. And if they wanted me to leave, then the only club that I wanted to go to was Real Madrid.”

Beckham added: "Funnily enough, in a day and a half, it happened.”

The former England international went on to make 159 appearances for Real and won La Liga in 2006/07 before transferring to MLS side LA Galaxy in July 2007.

David Beckham on Man Utd exit

Although things work out well in the end, Beckham once admitted that he almost quit football after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson before he left the Premier League.

Advert

"I was really close to finishing my career in the spring of 2003," Beckham told L'Equipe [quotes relayed by Sky Sports].

"I was living a very difficult period in my life. I just wanted to remain with my family.

"It was a conjunction of several things, my parents' divorce, threats to my children and football. I just didn't want to be exposed to the outside world."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: David Beckham, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Football, Transfer News, Barcelona

Luke Davies
Luke Davies

Journalist with expertise covering football - both in England and abroad - as well as combat sports.

X

@lukedaviesmedia

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • David Beckham forced to undergo surgery after 'years of pain' as wife Victoria reacts
  • David Beckham lands huge $35,000,000 fortune thanks to successful side businesses
  • Five Man Utd players 'tell club they want to leave' and won't report for pre-season with rest of squad
  • Victoria Beckham revealed the truth behind her diet after husband David claimed she has eaten the same meal for 25 years

Choose your content:

an hour ago
8 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson left 'furious' by 'careless' piece of commentary by Martin Tyler as full story revealed

    Martin Tyler angered Sir Alex Ferguson with his comment on commentary and apologised to the Manchester United legend.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates as he makes outrageous claim after PSG defeat

    Real Madrid were eliminated from the Club World Cup following their crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans turn on two players after embarrassing defeat to PSG in FIFA Club World Cup

    Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by the Champions League winners.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    PSG handed Club World Cup final blow as two players immediately banned for Chelsea clash

    Paris Saint-Germain will be without two key players for the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

    Football