David Beckham backs David Moyes to turn things around at Manchester United

Word NewsDavid Beckham says life after Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be tough for Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

David Beckham has backed David Moyes to ensure Manchester United return to winning ways after a dismal start to the season.

The reigning Premier League champions are currently behind the likes of Hull, West Brom and Cardiff after losing three of their opening six matches this term, with just two victories.

But despite questions being asked of Moyes' ability to manage a side expected to challenge for top honours, Beckham insists he has no concerns over the appointment of the Scot.

'There was always going to be that moment when Sir Alex Ferguson retired,' said the former England captain.

'Who was going to take over? What was it going to be like when a new manager came in? Were they going to be the same force as they have been over the last 20 years?

MORE: Zaha set for January loan

David Moyes has had a tough start to life at Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

'They will be because they are Manchester United.

'There's a transitional period that will happen but David Moyes is a very good manager.'

Manchester United travel to bottom-of-the-league Sunderland in today's evening kick-off, as they search for their first victory since September 14.

MORE: Ryan Giggs insists David Moyes is the right man to lead Manchester United

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David Beckham smoulders in new black and white pictures from new book

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The retired footballer uploaded a series of black and white snaps to his official Facebook page earlier today, giving fans an exclusive glimpse at the artwork for his forthcoming book.

And they're certainly bound to set the girl's hearts racing.

In one, which looks as though it might be the front cover of the book, the handsome star is seen staring into the camera with his heavily-tattooed arms crossed.

Groomed to perfection, the father-of-four boasts a full face of stubble and an impressive quiff.

In the second, which shows him behind the scenes on the shoot, is seen smiling into the camera in a black round neck jumper and dark jeans.

The other shows his make-up team surrounding him as he perches on a white block seat.

Sharing the images with his Facebook fans, the star wrote: "A few pics from my book - what do you think?"

The former England captain is set to release a new book of photos about his football career.

The star is said to have struck a deal with UK based Headling Publishing Group to work on the unnamed book, which is set to hit shelves on October 31.

The book will corral images from the 38-year-old's sprawling, globe-trotting career, which included stints with U.K.'s Manchester United, Spain's Real Madrid, Los Angeles' LA Galaxy and, most recently, France's Paris St.-Germain.

"David Beckham is, without a doubt, the most universally recognized and popular sports person on the planet, and this gorgeous book will be a superb way for his millions of fans around the world to celebrate David's remarkable achievements within football," Headline Publishing Group said in a statement.

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Fergie: Beckham lost spice for game

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Sir Alex Ferguson claims David Beckham lost focus following his marriage to "the girl from the Spice Girls," but also praised the midfielder.

Ferguson insists he has nothing but admiration for the career the ex- Manchester United and England star carved out for himself.

Former United boss Ferguson oversaw the early years of the man who would go on to become England's most-capped outfield player but also presided over the midfielder's departure from Old Trafford in 2003.

In an interview with PBS, Ferguson said Beckham and wife Victoria were subject to a change in their "celebrity status" after marrying and expressed surprise at his decision to join the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

"As a young kid when I got him at 12 years of age his great desire was [to play] some of the best football," Ferguson said in a transcript of the PBS interview published by The Times.

"He was a fantastic trainer, practiced all the time. At nighttime he would come by with the schoolboys and practice with them. And he was in that collection. And then of course, his life changed, when he married the girl from The Spice Girls, yeah. And his focus changed.

Did Beckham's marriage to Victoria cause the England star to lose focus?(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty)

"He got drawn into the - that celebrity status, you know? And for me, I'm a football man. I'm a football man. He lost the focus. And when we sold him to Real Madrid, he did well."

Beckham won one La Liga title in four years in Madrid before moving to the United States for a new chapter in his career.

Ferguson added: "I couldn't believe that he goes to LA Galaxy. I couldn't believe that. I couldn't understand that. I would never do that, you know? If I was going to go, I would be making sure he would go to the best, and Real Madrid was the best, I would say, and United.

"But he reinvented himself. He goes and plays for the English national team for a couple more years. He goes and plays for AC Milan [in the] European Cup. He's unbelievable. He really is - and good, well done to him. You can't argue with the status he has in life."

Beckham called time on his career at the end of last season at the age of 38 following a short spell at Paris St. Germain, yet even in retirement he remains an icon of the game and a major draw for fans and sponsors alike.

"Well, for me, it would have pleased me more to see him be a great, great player, you know?" Ferguson added.

"As I said, I'm a football man. But how can I argue with life? He's an icon for young people... and represents himself the proper way. And I say well done.

"Amazing boy, yeah. I mean, how he has created himself. He's fantastic. Wonderful boy."

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Report: David Beckham Nears Deal to Bring MLS to Miami, Is In 'Final Round' of ...

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David Beckham 's first foray into American soccer was both lucrative and successful. The impact of his next U.S soccer venture could dwarf that of his first.

The retired soccer star will secure the rights to own and operate a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in late 2013. The Mail reports Beckham is nearing deals with at least three investors, who would provide financial backing for the Miami-based team.

"David Beckham is in the final round of negotiations with backers for his return to Major League Soccer as the owner of a new franchise in Miami," the report says.

"The former England captain ... has almost settled on Florida, where the MLS are keen to expand. He is expected to announce progress before Christmas once his co-investors are in place.

"These could include Bolivia-born billionaire Marcelo Claure, who tried unsuccessfully to launch an MLS franchise in Florida in 2009 and joined Beckham in looking at potential stadiums in the Miami area last June.

" Steve Ross, owner of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, may also get involved, while another multi-millionaire certain to be part of the consortium is Beckham's business partner Simon Fuller. The most likely home for the team is Florida International University's stadium in Miami."

FIU Stadium is located on campus in West Miami. It holds up to 23,500 people, which falls in line with most new MLS stadiums. Claure sits on the university's board, making it likely that the team would play its home games at FIU Stadium instead of another venue.

When Beckham signed with the L.A. Galaxy in 2007, his contract included a clause, which allows him to purchase a franchise for $25 million (£15.4 million). When he left the Galaxy last December, he announced his intention to exercise that option and join the ranks of MLS owners. That $25 million expansion fee would represent a steep discount on the current going rate for an MLS team.

MLS currently has 19 teams, but the league is keen to expand to 24 by 2020. The New York Yankees and Manchester City paid an expansion fee of $100 million (£66 million) for the 20th franchise - New York City FC. NYC FC will begin play in 2015. It's unlikely that Beckham's group would field a team in Miami before 2016.

MLS is reportedly targeting the American Southeast as an area for growth. There are currently no MLS teams south of Washington, D.C., or east of Houston, Texas. Orlando, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., and Miami are thought to be among likely destinations for future MLS teams.

Beckham amassed a fortune, believed to be worth around $275 million (£170 million), during his 20-year career as a player and international celebrity icon. Should he succeed where the Miami Fusion (who played in MLS from 1998-2001) failed, Beckham would almost certainly add to his mountain of wealth in his second career as a franchise owner.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O'Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer or @mkomard, his Facebook page or NESN Soccer's Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

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David Beckham group still working on Miami MLS bid; competing group emerges

Word NewsMLS | Miami Team A London-based group headed by Italian financier Alessandro Butini launched its campaign to own a future MLS team in Miami.

Soccer icon David Beckham and Miami-based cellphone mogul Marcelo Claure remain in serious discussions about bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Miami, but nothing has been finalized, the stadium issue is still a question mark, and another interested ownership group emerged this week.

According to a source with knowledge of Claure's negotiations with Beckham, the two parties met in Japan last week and plan to meet again in the next few weeks in Los Angeles. Talks are "progressing nicely, but not a done deal yet," said the source.

Beckham retired from MLS last spring, and as part of his contract with the league, he has an option to buy a franchise for a sharply discounted price believed to be $25 million. He has said he plans to exercise that option, and Miami is his top choice. The option expires in December, so he would have to decide before then.

He toured Miami in June with Claure, the Bolivia-born owner of Brightstar Corporation, and visited Sun Life Stadium and FIU Stadium, though neither of those is ideal, according to MLS sources. The league is looking for an intimate soccer-specific stadium, if possible. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has also expressed interest in bringing MLS to South Florida.

Meanwhile, a London-based investment group led by Italian financier Alessandro Butini made its pitch for MLS-to-Miami official on Tuesday, partnering with the University of Miami School of Architecture to develop ideas for a viable soccer-specific stadium, and launching a website - MIA4MLS.com - to drum up fan interest.

Butini had an exploratory meeting with MLS commissioner Don Garber in New York early this year, and Garber told him a soccer-specific stadium in the right part of the city was paramount for a successful bid. Butini said his plan would include a privately-funded stadium. His partners include Marco Novelli, who has been successful in real estate ventures, and Suzie MacCagnan, a former New York financial advisor who more recently has brokered deals between foreign investment groups and English Premier League clubs.

"Commissioner Garber told me the stadium is the biggest variable, the No. 1 priority, so I am tackling that issue head on," said Butini, who gave a presentation to UM architecture students and a few local architects Monday. "MLS is looking for an 18,000- to 20,000-seat venue with covering for the fans, good drainage, FIFA compliant, luxury suites and first-class media facilities. I told the UM students we'd be looking at a $70 million budget for a project like this, knowing that it would likely cost closer to $85 million."

The UM students will present their final project in early December. In the meantime, Butini said, he and his group will explore locations and get to work on the expansion bid. Butini is a frequent visitor to Miami, has many friends here, and thinks it is the perfect location for MLS.

"I think the team would work great because of the changing demographics over the past 15 years, more and more foreigners, more and more passion for soccer," he said. "People say Miami fans only watch foreign teams and not MLS, but if their kids grow up with local soccer heroes, that would change. Miami is an event-driven town, and my idea is to make a great fan experience at the stadium so people will want to be there."

He sees Miami Beach or downtown Miami as the best places for a stadium, but has no specific location in mind yet.

"I simply love Miami, and if I can manage to make it a little bit better by bringing a soccer team, then I'll be the happiest person on Earth," Butini said. "MLS has evolved. When I mention MLS in Miami now in Europe, people are interested. The weather, the people here, the diverse cultures, the food, everyone wants to be in Miami."

The league's previous Miami team, the Fusion, was intended for the Orange Bowl, but wound up at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and folded after four seasons in 2001. The Fusion's average attendance its final season was 11,177.

MLS | Miami Team

A London-based group headed by Italian financier Alessandro Butini launched its campaign to own a future MLS team in Miami.

They'd show up to international ski jumping events only to be dismissed like "unwanted little sisters." No less than the president of the International Ski Federation tried to justify their exclusion from the sport by saying it could damage their reproductive organs. Lindsey Van actually had people ask if her uterus had fallen out.

Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko is sticking to his guns by calling up all but one of the 25 players he previously chose, for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Poland and San Marino.

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Sir Alex Ferguson on David Beckham: "He always had a lovely smile"

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Veteran talk show host Charlie Rose followed up his appearance on the penultimate episode of "Breaking Bad" (not a spoiler), with a lengthy interview with legendary former Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson this week. Transcripts of the interview are surfacing across the Internet. The Daily Mail has a solid post pulled from a Manchester United forum.

If you're a Manchester United fan, you'll gobble it up. If not, you'll probably find it as appealing as a peanut butter-and-tuna sandwich.

It's a long ranging interview. Some of the topics getting pulled out across the web today include Ferguson revealing he was approached to coach Chelsea when Roman Abramovich bought the London club in 2003. Ferguson affirming his support for his under-fire successor David Moyes, stating he's not going to come back and coach again. There's also a long discussion about the Civil War, as Ferguson - like Keith Hernandez - is a big buff on the subject. At one point Rose asks Ferguson if he saw the movie "Lincoln." (The 71-year-old Scot didn't think it was a great film, but respected the acting. Riveting.)

There's all sorts of stuff about leadership, coaching and identifying young talent, including David Beckham. Ferguson offers up a candid take on the celebrity/player and doesn't seem to fond of his former Spice Girl wife, Victoria.

CR: And then there was a fellow named David Beckham. AF: David, yes - amazing boy. I mean how he's created himself. He's (inaudible) conquering young people, it's fantastic. I mean he's a wonderful boy. CR: How did he do that? AF: Well, he always had a lovely smile, you know, and he always presents himself well. But as a young kid when I got him at 12 years of age, his great desire was to do the best. He was a fantastic trainer, practiced all the time and at night he would come back with the school boys and practice with them. And he was in that collection along with Giggs and Scholes. And then of course his life changed when he married the girl from - CR: Spice Girls. AF: Yes. And his focus changed. CR: What did it become? AF: Well, he got drawn into that celebrity status, you know. For me I'm a football man. I'm a football man. It wasn't my - CR: So you had to go to David and say - AF: Yes, he has to focus. And so they'll be trying to - CR: So what did you do? I mean did you go - tell me what you said to him when you believed that he was becoming more interested in celebrity than football? AF: I just think he's over his head. I don't think he could listen. I always remember in the (inaudible) he says "I'm in love" and there was nothing you can do with that, you know. And therefore he lost the focus. But I saw them in Real, Madrid. He did well. The thing I couldn't believe - (inaudible) - I couldn't believe that. I couldn't understand that. I would never have allowed him to do that, you know. He was going to make sure he went to the best and Real Madrid was the best outside United.And he reinvented himself, of course, and plays for the English team after a couple of years. He goes and plays for Milan. And well done. You can't argue with the status he has in life. CR: Yes. But would it have been better if he stayed at Manchester United and still have all the celebrity? AF: For me? For me it would have pleased me more to see him in a great (inaudible), you know, to see him with a woman. But how can you argue with life? He's an icon for young people; represents himself the proper way. And I say well done.

The Ferguson/Beckham relationship is fascinating and paternal. Ten years ago the Scot i nfamously kicked a soccer shoe in Beckham's face, sealing his exit from Manchester United to Real Madrid. (I'm still blow away by Ferguson's interest in the American Civil War.)

Manchester United, which has lost two straight Premier League games and is off to its worst start since 1989-90, played Ukranian power Shakhtar Donetsk today in the Champions League.

Here's the clip that's been released so far:

Related: David Beckham Close to Buying MLS Team in Miami, His Star Power Could Make it Viable

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Molly Sims "Didn't Realize" Son Brooks Was Playing With David Beckham's ...

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Little Brooks is already quite the ladies' man! and her 15-month-old son, Brooks, were recently photographed playing at a New York City park with David Beckham and his two-year-old daughter, Harper. The 40-year-old supermodel tells Us Weekly the play date had nothing to do with her matchmaking skills hard at work -- and everything to do with her son's own pursuits.

PHOTOS: David Beckham's cutest moments with daughter Harper

At the Airbnb's HELLO L.A. celeb designed pop-ups event at The Grove on Monday, Sept. 30, Sims explained to Us how her Sept. 10 park date with the Beckhams transpired. "I'm like, 'Who is he talking to? Who is he playing with? And, yes, he was with Harper Beckham," Sims recalls of watching her son play on the playground. "And, David Beckham is the nicest guy . . . I even said, 'Oh my god.' I didn't realize it was her!"

"You never know who you're going to meet!" she joked. "I mean it was literally like 95 percent humidity and it was like 100 [degrees] and there I was like, 'Oh, hello Mr. Beckham!' But, he is such a nice guy and a good dad."

PHOTOS: Victoria Beckham's life as a married mother of four

Braving the heat, Sims and Beckham followed their adorable tots around the park, helped them play with a toy car and ball and pushed them on swings. "He's so fun," Sims told Us of her son. "He's talking. He's like a little parrot. I said something like, 'Kissy kissy boom boom,' and he goes, 'Boom boom?'' It's cute."

PHOTOS: Celeb mom confessions

The Sports Illustrated model, who married movie producer Scott Stuber in September 2011, said having son Brooks was "the best thing I've ever done" and she may be ready to have another child

"I am excited to make more baby Brookses one day," she told Us. "I know, I need to start on that path."

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