WITHOUT YOU I'M NOTHING

Amid all the fascinating detail about David Beckham's financial importance to employers, present or imminent, one rather important issue has been shunted off reality's radar. Beckham's footballing importance to Manchester United has patently lessened in the unforgiving eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson clearly believes he does not fit into the tactical shift that United are undergoing. Ferguson spent much of last season developing a 4-2-3-1 formation, a configuration Spanish clubs have used with significant success against United in recent Champions League seasons.

Far more flexible than United's old, increasingly predictable 4-4-2, Ferguson's adoption of a new doctrine demands distinct qualities from midfielders, traits not readily associated with Beckham. Two of the midfielders must perform sentry duties in front of the back four and those anchormen, for Ferguson, are Roy Keane and one from Nicky Butt, Juan Sebastian Veron and Phil Neville. Beckham cannot tackle.

Then comes a bright band of three creative types, buzzing around behind Ruud van Nistelrooy. Viewed through Ferguson's eyes, Beckham does not possesses the requisite gifts to be one of these three wise men, quick-moving, interchanging artists such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Ronaldinho, the expected new boy.

Even pre-Ronaldinho, when Ferguson had the chance to start Beckham as the right-handed forward point behind Van Nistelrooy, the Scot preferred Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Such calumny came against Real at Old Trafford, a mistake highlighted by an aggrieved No 7 when he rose from the bench, scored twice and almost turned the tie around. Ignoring Beckham's ability to roam productively and hungrily, the creature of unbelievable obstinacy that is Alex Ferguson has obviously made up his mind: Beckham cannot be accommodated in 4-2-3-1.

Clearly he is out of the tactical picture at United. For all the hype, the reason for Beckham's transfer lies rooted in football.