David Beckham: in his own words

In the first of three exclusive extracts from his new book, David Beckham recalls how he battled his way into Manchester United’s first team
Beckham, centre, with (from left) youth coach Eric Harrison, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes at the Cliff training ground, Manchester, 1994
Beckham, centre, with (from left) youth coach Eric Harrison, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes at the Cliff training ground, Manchester, 1994
MIRRORPIX

My dad is a tough man. Tough but fair. He was the person who got me to support Manchester United as a young boy. He loves United, worships them almost, so when I was old enough to take an interest in football, there was only one option. I fell in love with the club before I can even remember. I loved United, and I loved football, too. I practised every day, kicking the ball up against the wall in the back garden, or doing keep-me-ups, or booting the ball as hard as I could into the fence.

Then, when he got home from work, I would go down to the field around the corner with Dad, which is when the real hard graft would begin.