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Fergie's fairy tale Beckham bust-up won't bring down Man United kingdom
Posted: Tuesday February 22, 2000 12:32 PM
Once upon a time there was a barren kingdom known as Old Trafford, home to a football team of dubious quality and supporters of legendary patience. For many years, their bitter border rival Liverpool ruled the English land, even spreading their domination to Europe. A wealth of riches adorned the trophy cabinets at their Anfield home. Liverpool was feared across the globe. Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium had also been a mighty fortress in days of yore. Valiant warriors Bobby Charlton, George Best and Dennis Law carried the fight for a team revered at home and abroad. But hard times fell on this kingdom after heralded leader Sir Matt Busby left and poor imitations reigned. Apart from fleeting cup successes, the United troops would return from league battle time and again without the Holy Grail... the English championship crown.
A new leader arrived in the mid-80s, with a reputation as a ruthless but successful man. Alex Ferguson, a Scot of humble beginnings, was now lord of the glen at one of the greatest clubs on earth. He ruled with a proverbial rod of iron. He radically changed the way things were run at Manchester United and quickly banished from his land any player who chose to ignore his methods. United icons like Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath, who legend has it were fond of English ale, were among those to feel Ferguson's wrath. For several years, though, Ferguson failed as others had before him. League battles were fought -- and lost. But a cup success changed all that in 1990. Other coveted trophies followed. The best of all was the league title in 1993 -- United's first for 26 years. The barren spell was over. A bountiful period had begun in this suddenly rich and lush kingdom. European rule would follow. Amid the glorious success, new knights of the realm were born to follow in the boots of Charlton, Best and Law. Arise Sir Giggs, Sir Cantona, Sir Hughes, Sir Beckham, Sir Schmeichel, Sir Keane. New heroes one and all, but some weren't without their troubles. Mercurial Frenchman Eric Cantona was banned for kicking a fan in the stands during a match, which almost ended his footballing career. Great Dane Peter Schmeichel had a stand-up slanging match with Ferguson, which almost cut short his Manchester United career. Now the gifted David Beckham is in danger of seeing his United dream end after a much-publicized bust-up with the team's ruler. A love spell was cast over Beckham by Victoria Adams, a diva of the pop world. Posh Spice believes she reigns supreme in her magical, musical kingdom of glamour and riches. Why can't her husband in his? The stories spread throughout the land. Posh wants Becks to move south to live -- and play. She denies it, saying she knows how much playing for Manchester United means to hubby dearest.
But a no-show at training last Friday led to Sir Alex banishing Beckham from his team for a crucial league encounter at fellow title-chaser Leeds United. The Manchester club won without him and moved closer to a sixth Premier League crown in eight seasons. What intrigue. What drama. How will the fable of Beckham end? A move south has already happened on one front. The happy couple bought a mansion in Hertfordshire. Beckham thus faces a three-hour, 200-mile trek to training -- and the same slog back again. Little wonder that when his son Brooklyn took ill in the early hours of Friday morning, a trip to training was not high on Beckham's agenda for the day. But Fergie's fury has been brewing for some time over his media-mobbed superstar, even before their alleged Saturday spat. It's reported that Beckham made separate flight arrangements for certain international trips to spend more time with his family while the rest of the team traveled home together. One time he was pictured at a bash given by Sir Elton John having just landed back in England. Also, the bigger Becks and Posh have become -- it has been said they are the new Charles and Di of Britain as far as the tabloids are concerned -- the more powerful they have grown. Ferguson might reign at Old Trafford, but outside those walls it's devilishly difficult for him to control the glamour-filled kingdom created by Mr. and Mrs. Beckham. Sir Alex might not say it publicly, but sources insist it is frustrating for one so used to being omnipotent. In his autobiography, Ferguson said there's just one word for a player rising above a manager's authority: "Goodbye." He knows he cannot allow one player to ruin the dynasty he's created. He won't allow it to happen. It therefore wouldn't surprise me to see Beckham leave for pastures new at season's end. London giants Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur hold appeal for the England international -- but not Arsenal. Posh would prefer Spurs. United would miss him. As runner-up in world and European footballer of the year, who wouldn't? But they can succeed without him. Remember after Cantona quit? Many considered that to be "The End." Instead, another new and successful chapter began in the land of the Red Devils. It will take more than Beckham's departure to bring this kingdom tumbling down. The End. Phil Jones is a co-host of "World Sport," the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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