Beckham aims to ‘raise bar’ this season

DAVID BECKHAM admitted he must ‘raise the bar’ if he is to avoid being dumped from the Manchester United line-up.

On the eve of United's vital Champions League qualifier with Hungarian minnows Zalaegerszeg in Budapest, Beckham said the entire Old Trafford squad need to raise their level of performance to avoid a repeat of last season's trophy-less campaign.

Beckham had difficulties of his own last term when he was rested by Sir Alex Ferguson after virtually carrying England through the final stages of their World Cup qualifying programme, then battling through fitness problems when he got to the Far East.