Time To Say Good-bye : Beckham Leaves United

MANCHESTER United turned David Beckham into an international superstar and yesterday he bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford before he quits European soccer for the United States.

Beckham joined United in 1989 at 14, made his debut in 1992, and was transferred in 2003 to Real Madrid.
In July, he's expected to start a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

"The time I spent at this club was the best time in my whole football career," Beckham told the 74,000-sellout crowd at half-time of a charity match won 4-3 by United over a Europe XI. Injury forced him to withdraw from the star-studded European side which faced United to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union and the Red Devils' half-century of play in continental soccer.

Since he moved to Spain, the 31-year-old had returned to the stadium as England captain but hadn't been able to personally thank United for 14 trophy-filled years.

"I've waited four years to actually come back and to actually say thank you to the fans and the people of the club," he said. (keep reading)