BACK IN THE CLUB

Spokesman Oliver Houston said: 'The key thing for us as supporter shareholders is that any money for any player is re-invested properly.

'It is re-invested in facilities for the supporters, it is re-invested in building up the youth team and in providing the manager with enough resources to strengthen the first team.

'If this was a decision to get the biggest cash windfall they could get clearly the plc have failed in their duty. As David Beckham is the jewel in the crown many people will be sad to see him go.

'Supporters put up with the fact that Beckham was being sold in the belief United would get a significant windfall. That doesn't appear to be the case. I don't know who has taken leave of their senses at the plc. Someone has taken their eye off the ball at Old Trafford.

'To get someone in of Beckham's calibre is going to command a fairly high transfer tag and significant wages demands. We assumed some master plan was at work but that is not the case. It is bizarre. They seem to have shot themselves in the foot.''

Reports suggest that United will only receive £7m this year from the transfer.