Becks treatment brings back 'bad old days'

Manchester United have been charged with returning football to the “bad old days” in their treatment of David Beckham by Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor.

The England captain appears to be headed out of Old Trafford with the Premiership champions confirming they had agreed a deal with a candidate for the Barcelona presidency.

Many observers expect Joan Laporta’s deal to take Beckham to the Nou Camp - dependant on his success in Sunday’s election and his ability to talk round the player – to be overtaken by bids from Real Madrid or even AC Milan.

But the willingness of United, usually reticent to the point of secretive over transfer dealings, to disclose details of an agreement with a man still to win power at a football club has drawn a stinging response from Taylor.

“From David’s point of view it’s harping back to many times past in the bad old days when it was just a matter for a club to decide whether a player goes or stays,” said Taylor.

Beckham’s advisors have revealed that the 28-year-old was “very disappointed and surprised” that he was being used as a “political pawn” in the Barcelona elections.

“Things have moved on and it’s not the way I would want one of my members even in the lowest club in the Third Division to be treated,” said Taylor.

“You wouldn’t want to sell your second-hand car in such a way, never mind one of your finest assets.

“Surely you would expect with someone like David Beckham, the club to get together and be issuing joint statements if it’s been decided that there will be a parting of the ways.

“This has happened before with other players who have chosen to stay at a club. It takes two to tango these days.

“I just find it obviously inflammatory and maybe done with a purpose but it doesn’t settle well.”

Beckham is expected to return from his holiday in the United States shortly, while Laporta will discover if his bid to be elected president of Barcelona has been successful on Sunday.

Taylor added: “With me being in Manchester and having such high regard for David I know he must feel quite insulted.

“It’s just when it comes to an official statement that gives it some credibility on United’s feelings, and then suddenly David has got his own position to think about.

“But I believe he has got another two years of his contract to run and he has a choice of whether he stays or whether he goes.

“That will be a choice for him, not some person who is using his name to get control of a club. I just don’t understand why and for what purpose that Manchester United have allowed themselves to become involved in an election for the presidency of a club in Spain.

“It’s pure exploitation of David and for Manchester United to be part of it I find quite incredulous as one of the biggest clubs in the world.”