‘A SAD DAY BUT DAVID MUST FEEL IT’S RIGHT’

PAUL SCHOLES l ed the tributes to David Beckham last night after his former Manchester United and England t eam- mate announced that he is calling time on a glittering 20-year playing career.

Beckham, Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers were members of the famous Class of ’ 92 who helped Sir Alex Ferguson deliver unprecedented success to United.

Scholes, who is also retiring at the end of this season, said: ‘It’s a sad day but hopefully David is happy with what he’s done. I thought he might go on a bit but if he feels like now is the right time then I wish him good luck in whatever he decides to do.

‘Right from the start you knew the quality he had, and the professionalism he had with it as well.

‘ His range of passing and his free-kicks were brilliant and that was no accident — he was out there practising all day long. He was a top, top player and it has been great to play with him.

‘It’s a shame he has retired but we all have to do it at some time.

‘That’s all our year finished now. I think there’s only Ryan Giggs, who was a year older than us, left still going as strong as ever.’

Eric Harrison was the youth-team coach at United who oversaw Beckham’s development after first seeing him at the age of 12.

‘There’s nobody in the world when they see a boy at 12 can say he’s going to go on such great heights as David,’ said Harrison.

‘But I saw a very talented young player — one you could tell was absolutely in love with football.

‘ His control, his passing, his awareness, his shooting, free-kick taking, was just absolutely extraordinary for a boy so young.

‘It was the hard work that was the catalyst. He never had a lot of pace but, in terms of stamina, running and work-rate, he was probably one of the best I’ve ever worked with.

‘It was a bit of a shock to me when he left because his father was a United supporter and David was completely in love with the club.

‘I went over to watch him when he was playing for Real Madrid and he made a big difference to them, and obviously when he went to AC Milan. It wasn’t just his success at United, it was his success globally.’

Ian Bryson was playing for Preston when Beckham had a five-game loan spell at Deepdale during the 1994-95 season before his rise to stardom.

‘His first training session on the astroturf at Preston College wasn’t that great and we wondered what United had sent us,’ recalled Bryson yesterday. ‘ But he proved us all wrong very quickly.

‘He came down to Leyton Orient when we won promotion t he following season and joined in the celebrations. He was an established player at United by then but he came into the dressing room and shook everybody’s hand.

‘He never forgot Preston and we never forgot him. He wasn’t big-time and football hasn’t got the better of him. He’s remembered where he came from.’

Steve McClaren was assistant to Ferguson when Beckham won the Treble with United in 1999, and also worked with the midfield star when he was manager of England.

He paid tribute to Beckham’s character and professionalism throughout a career that saw him win titles in England, Spain, France and the United States.

McClaren said: ‘My lasting memory of David Beckham is continually being the last off after training, and always practising those trademark free - kicks t hat won England, Manchester United, Real Madrid, wherever he’s been, many games.

‘He was a great player and made the very most of talent through sheer hard work. He inspired his team-mates through his performances. He was a winner and that was infectious.’

Beckham’s coach at the LA Galaxy, Bruce Arena, credits him with leaving an indelible impression on Major League Soccer and the sport as a whole in the United States.

But he admitted that Beckham had to be talked out of turning his back on the American dream.

‘David was very frustrated because the LA Galaxy experienced very little success on the field,’ admitted Arena. ‘He is such a great competitor and he was questioning his move to the United States.

‘Fortunately we were able to get it turned around, largely attributed to David’s presence on and off the field.

‘I found him to be a player with incredible skills on the field. One of the greatest passers the world has ever seen. Just a great personality and incredible competitor.’

British Olympic Association Chair Lord Coe also had words of praise for a man he worked closely with in the run up to last summer’s Games.

‘It is impossible to think about the success of the London 2012 Games and not reflect upon the extraordinary commitment made by David Beckham,’ said Coe.

‘At every stage of the London 2012 journey — from the bid phase, to planning for the Games, to the torch relay and the unforgettable summer of sport in 2012, David was a constant source of support and inspiration.’