Premiership: Becks says Blanc will come good

David Beckham has insisted new defender Laurent Blanc will be a great player for Manchester United - despite his shaky start at the heart of the Reds’ back four.

The France international, signed by Sir Alex Ferguson following the sudden departure of Jaap Stam, was blamed in United’s 4-3 defeat by Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Magpies defender Nikos Dabizas claimed the 35-year-old ‘‘struggled with the pace of the game’’ as United’s defence looked unusually shaky.

But England skipper Beckham believes Blanc will come good claiming people were always trying to ‘‘knock’’ the Old Trafford side.

He said: ‘‘He is a World Cup winner who has won everything and for him to come to Manchester United and be part of this team is something special not just for all the players but for the fans as well.

‘‘People have been on about the defence not having a very good start but there is nothing wrong with the team.

‘‘They are always going to try and knock anything to do with Man United but you just carry on.’’