Beckham praises United supporters
Manchester United legend David Beckham was one of the guests at a star-studded F1 Grand Prix in Miami, where he was asked for his opinion on his former club's current situation.
The Reds have had a disappointing season, and lie in sixth place in the Premier League with one fixture to go - the away game against Crystal Palace a week on Sunday.
Yet Becks feels the supporters deserve more credit for their backing and believes things will improve following changes this summer, including the arrival of new manager Erik ten Hag from Ajax.
Sporting royalty right here. 👑🔥 pic.twitter.com/b6DTWuWGCA
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 8, 2022
After posing in the pit lane for an iconic photo alongside sporting royalty in Lewis Hamilton, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, the ex-United midfielder was asked by Sky Sports for his take on his boyhood club, where he made 394 appearances and was hugely influential in the Treble-winning campaign of 1999.
"I think there are changes to be made and changes are happening," he admitted.
"It’s a tough end to the season but it is the end and I’m sure a lot of fans are thankful for that as it has been a tough one, full of ups and downs.
"They still turn up at the stadium," he continued. "I turned up a few months back and every seat was filled. So the fans still believe, they still support and will always turn up for the team.
"It's what United fans do. There are not many other teams [who could] have gone through what they've gone through in the last few years, and still [be] filling out the stadium. It says a lot of the fans and what they believe in."
The former England captain was also asked about the man who inherited his no.7 shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Portugal international's outstanding contribution of 24 goals since rejoining the club this term from Juventus.
Beckham says he is hopeful the striker will stay at Old Trafford and continue to excite the supporters on a regular basis.
"Obviously, Cristiano is one of the best players over the last 15 years, with Leo [Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi]," he stated. "To see him stay, hopefully staying on at United, is important for the fans. I think it's important to him.
"We all know how much Manchester United means to him.
Warming up in Becks’ style ⚽️😎#DavidBeckham 🤜🤛 @charles_leclerc #essereFerrari🔴 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/424km3Doui
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 8, 2022
"He is still doing what he does best, scoring goals and creating and that's what Cristiano does, even at his age.
"To be doing what he's doing is really incredible. Hopefully, it continues and, hopefully, he stays for another year or two."
Beckham, who is co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami, looked on as Red Bull's Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 champion, won the race ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in second place. It was the inaugural Grand Prix in Florida and generated a huge amount of media interest.