Former Manchester United forward, David Beckham has revealed that a deal had been reached between the club and Barcelona prior to his move to Real Madrid in 2003.
Beckham said he was frustrated by the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former England captain eventually joined Real Madrid and insists he did not watch United matches for three years after leaving the club.
Beckham left Manchester United after winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. He moved to Madrid in a deal worth around €35 million.
Beckham says he only wanted to leave the Red Devils Madrid despite United agreeing a deal with the La Liga club’s huge rivals, Barcelona.
The former La Galaxi forward told BBC Radio 4, “There was never any revenge. I was hurt and angry at the time at how the situation had gone because throughout the season I was left out of certain games but never thought it would lead to me leaving.
“But I had heard rumours I might be sold. I was holiday in the States with Victoria and one of my friends called and told me it was on Sky Sports that United had agreed terms with Barcelona. I said ‘that wasn’t right, I don’t know anything about it’.
“I then flew back to London. I tried to speak to Peter Kenyon and tried to speak to the manager and he said ‘no’. I said ‘well I need to speak to him and understand what is going on.’ He said ‘it’s true, we have agreed a deal.’
“That is when I spoke to my agent and said ‘if I am going to move, I’m going to move to Madrid’. Within a day, I was sat with the president of Madrid and we agreed that is where I was going to go.” Although Beckham has falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the time he insists he never wanted to leave Old Trafford.
He added, “I didn’t watch Manchester United for three years [after leaving].
“I was shocked and devastated because we had just won the league that season.
“[Without a doubt I wanted to retire at Old Trafford] Because Manchester United were my team. I had no aspirations to leave United.”
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