March 25th: "Beckham looks like the next big project for us."- Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid sporting director

March 27th: "The possibility that Beckham will play for us is very remote." - Valdano dampens speculation.

March 28th: "I would have to question their motive on the Beckham thing - the way it came out immediately after the draw."

- Alex Ferguson

April 9th: Real Madrid 3 Man Utd 1: Beckham eclipsed by Luis Figo at the Bernabeu

April 23rd: Man Utd 4 Real Madrid 3: Beckham starts on bench but comes on to score twice. Afterwards applauds all sides of the ground in "farewell" gesture.

April 29th: "Madrid have no intention of negotiating the transfer of Mr Beckham." - Real Madrid statement