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David Beckham admits he made mistakes in relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson

 David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson had a stormy relationship
Image: David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson had a stormy relationship

David Beckham has admitted he made mistakes with his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson when they were at Manchester United.

Beckham came through the ranks at United under Ferguson and went on to become a global superstar.

But they had a number of well-documented stormy moments - and Beckham was eventually sold to Real Madrid.

"You make decisions at 21 I hope I would not make when you are 41," Beckham told BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs.

Ferguson infamously kicked a boot into Beckham's face during one row. Beckham said it was a "freak accident" and joked: "He could never do it again - because I have seen him in training.

(FILES) A picture taken on February 26, 2002 shows Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson (L) giving instructions to David Beckham during a champion
Image: Ferguson (L) gives instructions to Beckham in 2002

"We had lost to Arsenal and he thought that one or two of the goals were my fault. I just kept saying it was not my fault."

Beckham said he was "shocked and devastated" when Ferguson sold him to Spanish giants Real in 2003. "I didn't watch Manchester United for three years," he said. "I would never have left."

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Sky Ambassador Beckham also discussed recent allegations of child abuse of young players by coaches and scouts at a number of football clubs which have shocked the sport.

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Image: Beckham (L, with Luis Figo) was sold to Real Madrid in 2003

"It's disgraceful what's gone on and there has to be something done about it...but there was never anything at Manchester United," Beckham said.

"The closest [thing to abuse] would've been certain professionals...if we'd gone out of line they'd make us do a funny dance in the middle of the changing room in front of our heroes at the time.

"[It was] humiliation, and that was all it was - but that was just to teach us a lesson, there was never any wrongdoing."

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