• 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 Alfred Davies

Luke Alfred 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.

Advert

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.

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”.

Advert

“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.

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

Advert

“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 Alfred Davies
Luke Alfred Davies

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • David Beckham didn't stutter when revealing his biggest career regret and it had nothing to do with Man Utd
  • David Beckham begged son Brooklyn not to break family rule with girlfriend 'that would make him upset'
  • David Beckham sends emotional public message to son Brooklyn after he misses 50th birthday amid family 'feud'
  • Brooklyn Beckham breaks silence on dad David amid claims he's 'cut contact' with his family over feud

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Everton reveal the official name of their new stadium and fans are calling it the 'worst ever'

    The Toffees will move into their new state-of-the-art stadium ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Vinnie Jones revealed the tackle he regretted making most during his career and it wasn't his infamous Roy Keane challenge

    The former Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Queens Park Rangers midfielder was not one to mess about.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Mo Salah hits out at Liverpool fans over their treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes request to fans

    The Liverpool forward has had his say on the actions of the Reds supporters who booed Alexander-Arnold.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso 'personally requests' former Man United star as one of his first signings at Real Madrid

    The Bayer Leverkusen boss has been mooted as Carlo Ancelotti's successor at Real Madrid.

    Football