Manchester United have been running the rule over David Beckham‘s son, Brooklyn, with a view to offering him a place in their academy.
United‘s coaching staff have been monitoring the 14-year-old after inviting him to the club where his father made almost 400 appearances, winning the Premier League six times, the FA Cup twice and the European Cup.
Brooklyn, who was in the academy at LA Galaxy during Beckham‘s time in Major League Soccer, had a run-out with Chelsea at the start of the year before signing up for Queens Park Rangers’ junior set-up.
Beckham took him into United’s training ground in Carrington yesterday and other sessions are planned before the academy staff establish whether the teenager should be given the chance to shine at the club where his father started his long and illustrious career. Beckham was part of United‘s 1992 FA Youth Cup-winning team alongside the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes before becoming an integral part of Alex Ferguson‘s side for the next decade.
'Fergie's Fledglings' have started work on a book, also featuring Ryan Giggs, and Beckham has always retained his strong affinity with the club despite the fractious way his relationship with Ferguson deteriorated, as set out in the former manager's newly-released autobiography.
Measuring his ability
Brooklyn's desire to follow his father into football is well known, with bookmakers offering odds of 12/1 that he plays for England, and his visit to Manchester is aimed at measuring his ability and helping to find him the right environment. It has been emphasised that it was not a trial, more a chance for everyone to have a look at one another.
Earlier this year, Beckham talked about the possibility of Brooklyn, or one of his other sons, becoming a footballer.
“As a parent, you always worry: ‘Have they got the hunger that I had as a kid?’ I’m as hard on my boys as my dad was. They always ask: ‘Did I play well?’ I’ll say: ‘You did all right, could have done better.’”
Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell has suggested that Manchester City’s squad still regard Joe Hart as their number one goalkeeper – even if Manuel Pellegrini begs to differ.
The England goalkeeper’s first-team place is in doubt following the mistake which consigned the side to a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea last Sunday and Costel Pantilimon replaced him for Wednesday‘s 2-0 League Cup victory at Newcastle United.
The 6ft 7in Romania international – who expects to play in cup games – made key saves from Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse, and Pellegrini made it clear he has a big decision to make before tomorrow‘s Premier League game at home to Norwich. “Joe is number one and Costel is good competition for him,“ Rodwell said.
"We all know Joe is number one but Costel put on a good performance against Newcastle," he added.
Guardian Service
