David Beckham has revealed he had to be held back from Sir Alex Ferguson during their infamous row in 2003 after the legendary Scot kicked a boot at the ex-England captain.
Tensions grew between the pair after Man United‘s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal in the 2002-03 campaign – which they lost 2-0 – with Ferguson leading a dressing room inquest.
Beckham recalled seeing his ‘fuming’ boss and revealed he had sworn at him – further enraging him on top of the result – after his manager criticised him for failing to follow his runner in the build up to a goal.
Ferguson then launched a boot at Beckham, with the midfielder later seen sporting an eye injury in training.
‘We walked in the changing room and the boss is fuming. I can see it by his face,’ the former Real Madrid and LA Galaxy man said.
David Beckham has shed light on his infamous run-in with Sir Alex Ferguson that saw the coach kick a boot at him in 2003
Beckham revealed he had to be held back after the furious encounter after an FA Cup loss to Arsenal
‘And when you see the boss’s face like this, you don’t want to be anywhere near him. It is a face that no one can do, trust me.’
After it was claimed the coach was ‘effing and blinding’, he added: ‘I went back at the boss and said “no” and then I swore. I said the f- word. And then I saw him change, and I was like, “s***, I really shouldn’t have said that”. I think I said the f-word too many times.’
He then revealed his furious reaction to the boot being launched at him, adding: ‘I went at him – someone had to hold me back.’
Former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had also revealed that it was his boot that was launched at Beckham before revealing more details about Ferguson taking issue with Beckham’s performance.
‘When you lose you take your boots off and wait for the gaffer to talk and he starts effing and blinding at David. Look at the video, David says. [Sir Alex says] I don’t need a f***ing video, I’ve got my eyes. I could then just see my boot flying.’
Beckham later spoke of his heartache at having to leave United for Real Madrid the following season – saying he pleaded to stay at Old Trafford.
He said he asked ‘Can I speak to the boss?’ before being told, “No, he doesn’t want to talk to you”.
Beckham added: ‘And I said, “I need to speak to the boss, I need to know this is really what he wants” and I pleaded to not go. I couldn’t get in contact with the boss. Did I ever want to leave Man United? No, never.
Beckham revealed he had earned the wrath of his boss after swearing at him after their FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) revealed it was his boot that ended up being thrown at Beckham
‘It was my home. My relationship with the boss was always special. We had our moments, but I still loved him.’
Ferguson said their relationship ‘was at a stalemate’.
‘There was not going to be any point in me saying to David, “I’m selling you”,’ he added. The decision was made, it was better he went. He didn’t need to go. He could have stayed if he wanted. I think he knew it was the right time.’
The documentary also revealed that Beckham’s relationship with Victoria Beckham added further tension between the player and Ferguson
Former team-mate Paul Scholes said: ‘His relationship with Victoria was p***ing the manager off. He thought it was affecting his football.’
Meanwhile, fellow Red Devils icon Paul Ince revealed how Ferguson used to do background checks on his players’ love lives, eager for them to be in ‘stable’ relationships.
‘Sir Alex liked you to be stable. He looked at your background. Didn’t want you to be out partying every night,’ Ince said.
When asked about their relationship, Ferguson admitted: ‘[Beckham] changed, there’s no doubt about that – and all the media and celebrity attention was different from what I wanted.’
