‘NORMALLY we could dismiss the rantings of a group of football supporters as nothing more significant than another regrettable instance of English yobbishness.
That would be the preferred response to the abuse snarled in the direction of David Beckham by disgruntled Manchester United fans waiting for their flight out of Budapest last week after the shock defeat by Zalaegerszeg.
But circumstances are far from normal at Old Trafford right now. In fact, the situation could be described as one of considerable turmoil as Alex Ferguson once again seeks a satisfying outcome to his U-turn on retirement. Distasteful as that airport incident might have been, I suspect there was something more disturbing than extreme bad manners from the normally united ranks of the travelling Red Army.
Perhaps even United's loyal supporters are beginning to voice the legitimate question that must have passed the lips of fans throughout the land:
Will the real David Beckham stand up?
Beckham's new deal was as important to United as it was to the player himself.
His value to the club's merchandising potential was not lost on those responsible for the business side of the Old Trafford empire.
In fact, Manchester United need Beckham more than Beckham needs Manchester United - his alternatives far outnumber theirs.
But that won't wash with Ferguson, come the crunch. Despite Beckham's hero-worship that still far outweighs the dissent and for all the extent of his commercial capacity, Ferguson would not hesitate to drop him.
On current form, or lack of it, I'd say Beckham needs to rediscover himself in a hurry.
Stamford Bridge, this Friday evening, would be as good a place and time as any. Otherwise he's going to find himself reluctantly resting both feet.