When Beckham raised the Old Trafford roof
David Beckham played almost 200 first-team games at Old Trafford for Manchester United, including a Premier League title-clinching match in May 1999 when he crucially equalised against Tottenham Hotspur. But the midfielder's greatest individual performance at the ground was arguably for his country rather than his trophy-laden club.Played on this day, 6 October, in 2001, the England fixture in question was a qualifier against Greece with guaranteed passage to the 2002 World Cup finals at stake. Sven-Goran Eriksson's men were in the box seat at kick-off, ahead of rivals Germany on goal difference after thumping them 5-1 in Munich four weeks previously. And having beaten the Greeks 2-0 away in June, with strikes by Beckham and his United team-mate Paul Scholes, the Three Lions were strong favourites to finish the job with maximum points at home in Manchester.
The sailing would be far from plain, however, with the plucky visitors – who were already unable to reach the finals in Japan and South Korea – twice taking the lead. Angelos Charisteas struck first in the 36th minute and the score remained 1-0 to Greece for an uncomfortable next half-hour until former United striker Teddy Sheringham came off the bench and immediately marked his return to Old Trafford by heading in Beckham's free-kick.
Parity, and that automatic place, were snatched away again moments later though when Demos Nikolaidis fired in at the Stretford End to tee up a final 20 minutes of tangible tension inside Old Trafford. With Germany edging ahead in the Group 9 table by drawing at home to Finland, England were contemplating a difficult play-off against Ukraine until deep into injury time when Beckham was given his sixth opportunity to score from a set-piece. Sheringham won the free-kick and was shaping up to take it but his captain insisted on seizing the ball for one last go at beating Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis.
"I had tons of energy left, despite the fact it was in injury time," recalled Beckham in his 2013 autobiography. "'It's too far out for you, Teddy,' I said. 'Trust me. I've got this.' Nothing was going to stop me taking that free-kick. I felt confident, calm, certain. I knew I could make it."
ManUtd.com reported on the day: "With five past or present Reds on the pitch [Gary Neville, Andy Cole and Paul Scholes in addition to Beckham and Sheringham], the regulars in the crowd at Old Trafford were hoping to see the dramatic kind of climax they're accustomed to. And how it came, just inside the four minutes of injury time.
"This time, Beckham scored, with a superb free-kick after Sheringham had been shoved in the back by Konstantinos Konstantinidis, and the final whistle blew moments later. With the score from Germany confirmed on the PA system as 0-0 against Finland, Old Trafford erupted. England had qualified by the skin of their teeth, and Beckham was the hero among heroes."
Of course, Beckham had been anything but that in the eyes of England fans after his costly red card against Argentina during France '98. However, three years on, David had redeemed himself in style by dragging his side over the qualification line with an all-action performance at his beloved Old Trafford.
Speaking to ManUtd.com a few weeks later, he acknowledged his status among national-team supporters had "really turned around in the last year" and their feelings towards him had become more positive. "Especially with the England games, I think that's where it's been most noticeable. I'm very happy with the way it's going."
David Beckham will play at Old Trafford again on 14 November 2015 for a special charity game to raise money for UNICEF. Sir Alex Ferguson will also be back, as manager of a Great Britain & Ireland XI taking on world legends such as Zinedine Zidane. There are still a few tickets left - these can be purchased now by calling on 0161 868 8000 or ordering online via manutd.com/tickets.
Click the image above to see pics from England v Greece at Old Trafford in 2001.
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