I miss Manchester United, admits Beckham

Oct 24, 2006, 10:42 GMT

London - Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has admitted how much he misses Manchester United as his career in Spain hangs in the balance.

It is expected the 31-year-old will turn down a new two-year contract at Real if he is unable to win back a regular place under coach Fabio Capello.

Clubs worldwide are monitoring the situation but Beckham, who can leave for free at the end of the season when his current deal runs out, has indicated he would only return to England if it was to rejoin United.

He fell out with United boss Alex Ferguson shortly before he left United in 2003 but has paved the way for a return with conciliatory comments.

'I've known Ferguson since I was 12 years old and we have had one or two problems in that time,' he told The Sun newspaper on Tuesday.

'Maybe he didn't want me to leave. I don't think there is any desire on his part for me not to have success. In every way, I hope my luck changes.'

Beckham also revealed his disappointment at how Real's players rarely socialise. 'I have friends 'Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Michel Salgado' but we don't go out together enough.

'At Manchester I was there 15 years and every day, every match, we were united, win or lose.

'Every 15 days we went out together to dinner with all the players, including times when Ferguson and all the coaches came.

'In the three years I've been here we have done that four times.'