Short of Fergie wearing green and gold in the dug out, Becks' show of support was as big as it gets for the anti Glazer campaign

By David McDonnell

Published 09:43 11/03/10

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Only David Beckham, with his unique capacity for self-promotion, could have stolen the show after AC Milan's 4-0 mauling at Manchester United, by plucking a scarf from the Old Trafford turf.

This, of course, was no ordinary scarf. It was green and gold, the now iconic symbol of the anti-Glazer movement which has gathered such momentum in recent weeks and months.

Beckham, realising the potential inflammatory implications of his gesture, tried to play down its significance, claiming his actions had nothing to do with support for rebel United fans.

"I'm a Manchester United fan and I support the club," said Beckham. "I always will. I saw the scarf there and just put it round my neck.

"It's the old colours. That's all I know. It's nothing to do with me how the club is run. That's to do with other people. I support the team."

Nice try Becks, but no cigar. The most iconic sportsman in the world knows more than anyone the power of pictures, and it was no coincidence the scarf he scooped up was green and gold, rather than the traditional red, white and black of United.

This, it must be remembered, is the man whose people tipped off photographers that he would be walking down a Manchester street, his long hair scraped back off his face with an alice-band, to display fully the scar caused by the flying boot kicked in anger by Sir Alex Ferguson, which cut Beckham above the right eye in 2003.

So Beckham, more than anyone, knows the significance of draping the green and gold scarf around his neck at the final whistle, and the message such an image sends out acorss the world - even David Beckham wants the Glazers out of Old Trafford.

Those behind the green and gold campaign could not have dreamed of such a high-profile figure endorsing their cause with such a visual display of support.

Short of Fergie striding down the touchline to the dugout, wrapped up against the elements in green and gold, it doesn't get much bigger than that.

Joel and Avram Glazer, United's co-chairmen, will have been shifting uncomortably in their seats in the Old Trafford directors' box on Wednesday, as they were left in no doubt of the scale of the opposition towards their ownership of the club.

And with Beckham on board, despite his unconvincing attempts to distance himself from the rebel movement, there seems little respite ahead for the beleaguered Americans.

Green and Goldenballs as Beckham returns to his Theatre of Dreams - Oliver Holt on the prodigal son's homecoming

Man United 4-0 AC Milan: Daily Mirror match report  

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