David Beckham wishes he were still with Manchester United

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David Beckham wishes he had emulated Ryan Giggs and stayed at Manchester United his entire career.

The Galaxy star, who initially left United for Real Madrid and is now on loan at AC Milan, told BBC Radio today that he never wanted to leave the English club in 2003.

United sold Beckham to Real Madrid after his relations soured with manager Alex Ferguson, who was concerned about his off-field commitments.

“I’d have loved to have stayed at Manchester United for my whole career and never gone anywhere else, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Beckham told the Associated Press. “It takes a special person and a player to stay at a club for so many years. Ryan’s been there for so many years now, and he’ll be part of Manchester United for life.” Giggs, 36, joined Manchester United when he was 17.

Although he helped the Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final, Beckham says he needs to be playing regularly in Europe to convince England Coach Fabio Capello he deserves to go to the 2010 World Cup, his fourth.

‘I know I have to play quite a lot for AC Milan. I’m prepared to do that,” said Beckham, who is England’s most capped non-goalie with 115 appearances. “Everybody knows I’m prepared to work hard to be part of the England squad.”

-- Houston Mitchell