The Match of the Day pundit made that understandable, though now infamous, comment just over 20 years ago, when United lost 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 season. Beckham had made his league debut a few months earlier, and by the end of his first full season United’s unjustly maligned kids had won a second double.
While Terry Venables resisted calling him up during Euro 96, Glenn Hoddle awarded him a cap at the earliest opportunity on taking over as England manager. By the time Beckham played in Moldova in September 1996 he was already famous, courtesy of opening the season – one year on from the defeat by Villa – with an outrageous goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon. Taking a pass from Brian McClair, Beckham spotted Neil Sullivan off his line and had the confidence and technique to put the ball in the right spot from 50 yards out. He has since described it as his best goal but said the biggest thrill of all was receiving congratulations from an admiring Eric Cantona.