Premiership: No United place for Beckham

David Beckham will not figure in the Manchester United starting line-up after being given the weekend off by boss Alex Ferguson.

Beckham was expected to return for the clash against Middlesbrough after missing the champions' last three games.

But the midfielder does not even make the bench, and will not return to the United camp until Tuesday.

The 26-year-old was originally dropped from United's Champions League victory over Boavista 10 days ago.

He then made only a second-half substitute appearance during United's home defeat to West Ham, and then did not even warm up after being named on the bench again for the Red Devils' demolition of Derby.

On Friday, Ferguson cited a back problem as the reason for Beckham's continuing absence from the United starting line-up.

"He knows himself that he had not been playing his best and he wants it sorted out as well," said Ferguson.

"David's back is not exactly improving in the sense that back troubles tend to take a wee while.

"Rest is the best thing for him. It's not long term, but I think we're doing the right thing giving him the breather.

"He can rest the back and also have a rest himself generally. I think he's needed that."