"If someone had told me when I moved last year that David
would be sold in 12 months I would have said 'no way'. Yet
now he's gone. It just shows football is big business these
days and you can never be sure of anything.
"David is a good friend and we got to know each other really
well during the World Cup in Japan. He told me what a great
club United was and that I could not make a better move.
"It was good to talk to someone like him about everything
involved and he was a big help. Even when he was applauding
the fans at the end of the season I did not think he'd be
leaving. It did not seem possible.
"My friends asked me what was happening but I didn't have a
clue. People think we're lying when we say that but,
honestly, players are the last to know. A week ago, it hit
me when United said they had accepted an offer from
Barcelona for Becks.
"I spoke to David on the phone and, while it wouldn't be
right to go into the details of our conversation, I think
all footballers realise that once a club says it is prepared
to sell you there is no going back.
"From that moment, you want to get things sorted out and get
on your way. Whoever you are, a drawn-out transfer is a
stressful experience and the longer it drags on the more it
drives you nuts.
"I felt a huge relief when my move to United went through
and, although David will be sad to leave us, I'm sure it's a
huge weight off his mind that it is done and dusted.
"People's careers change track for many different reasons
and great players move around all the time. But the clubs
stay where they are. Manchester United will go on without
David. There are not many clubs who would have the
confidence to sell him - but the manager's judgment is tried
and tested.
"I can remember the criticism he got for selling stars like
Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce but the results
proved he knew what he was doing. His record speaks for
itself.
"And nobody will convince me that Becks and the gaffer have
fallen out. I just cannot believe that. Their statements
prove the mutual respect they have for one another. I saw
the famous flying boot but I've no doubt that was an
accident.”
Gary Neville in the Times:
"There is a sadness in seeing him go, but I do not see any
reason why his move should not benefit Manchester United and
David Beckham. The club has got more than a decade of
brilliant service out of him and a massive profit at the end
of it.