Beckham: Rooney would make Best proud

David Beckham believes George Best would have been proud to see Wayne Rooney’s all-action displays for Manchester United.

England striker Rooney provided a fitting tribute to the Old Trafford legend, who died aged 59 last week, by inspiring his side to victory over West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday.

Rooney is only 20, younger than Best was when he helped United to win the European Cup in 1968, and certainly possesses the talent to become revered as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

Real Madrid midfielder Beckham is certainly in no doubt of the quality of his England team-mate.

“Wayne is proving what a great player he is, week in and week out,” said the 30-year-old.

“We have all talked about him being a young player, but he is winning games for Manchester United.

“He has got a lot of good players with him, but single-handedly he is performing [in a way] like George Best would be proud of.”

Beckham added: “We all would like to have that sort of legacy when we finish playing, to even be mentioned in the same breath as George Best.

“Wayne said after the match if he could have slice of what George Best had, it would be an amazing honour for him.”

The England captain reflected: “He is learning more, he is performing and his confidence is high – when that happens, you believe you can do anything.

“That is what George Best was like, he had a huge amount of confidence, and proved that on the pitch.”

Best’s off-field problems were well documented, and were part of the reason why he retired from the game at the age of just 27 before then trying to stage several comebacks but never hitting the heights he had done with United.

While support structures are now much improved for the modern-day footballer, Beckham maintained: “There is pressure through all football these days, you come under a certain amount of scrutiny.

“Wayne is going to get that because he is a young lad, and he could not be at a better club to be looked after and brought through.

“But being a big player with a big profile comes the expectations, and Wayne is living up to that.”

Beckham added: “George Best was the first to have it all as a young player.

“It is hard for anyone to handle, to be honest, even these days.

“You have got family and friends, the support around you, but it is still tough at times.”

Beckham moved from United to Real Madrid in 2003, but he and his wife Victoria remain constantly under the glare of media.

“The attention I get has not changed, and at times it is hard,” he said.

“I am never one to complain about the attention I do get because I am in the public eye, and I expect a certain amount of attention.

“But one thing I have always said is I don’t appreciate the attention my children get, and that is one thing I will always stick by.”