Becks denies Rooney rift reports

David Beckham has rubbished reports that he has fallen out with Wayne Rooney.

The pair had a heated exchange after Rooney was booked whilst losing his temper, and the Manchester United star was not afraid to offer his skipper some choice words on the pitch.

Reports suggested that the argument continued into the dressing room as Sven Goran Eriksson's men suffered humiliation, although Beckham has now moved to deny any rift in the England camp.

"Of course there is no fall-out," said Beckham. "Me and Wayne have talked a number of times in the last week.

"The whole thing has just been blown out of all proportion.

"Wayne is not just a team-mate of mine in the England side but he is a friend."

Rooney's temperament has been the subject of intense discussion in the media after he was shown the red card against Villarreal for sarcastically applauding referee Kim Milton Nielsen.

The incident again highlighted the striker's tendency to court controversy, but Beckham believes that at Old Trafford he has the perfect environment in which to continue the stellar rise that saw him named FIFpro academy's Young Player of the Year on Monday night.

The former United star also nominated himself as a role model for Rooney, after he coped with the intense pressures of fame and developed into one of the world's most sought after players under Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I'd like to think I can be an example," Beckham continued.

"Wayne respects all the senior players in the England team and all the senior players respect the younger players.

"And he's got experienced players at United like Roy [Keane] that he can look up to.

"That's the sort of person he needs to follow.

"I am sure Sir Alex has got the situation in hand, he gave me a lot of support as did the players and the fans at United.

"I have always said that in terms of the support he needs he couldn't be at a better club.

"Alex Ferguson doesn't need me to tell him how to handle players. That's what he's good at, he looks after his players."

Beckham's time since leaving United has been dogged by underachievement after failing to win a trophy with Real, and the Spanish giants have also started the new campaign in bad form after two defeats in three La Liga games.

The Spanish giants saw boss Jose Antonio Camacho leave early into the last campaign, and Beckham does not want to see the same fate befall current incumbent Wanderley Luxemburgo.

"I hope the same thing that happened last year to the manager doesn't happen again. We need stability.

"We want to keep the manager but you never know, sometimes things are done differently here."