Manchester United legend David Beckham has opened up on a “very special” moment in his playing career after he wore the same shirt number as one of his idols.
Beckham kicked off his path to superstardom at United under club legend Sir Alex Ferguson and built a prolific legacy during his legendary spell at Old Trafford.
The 48-year-old Inter Miami co-owner and president captured six Premier League titles, a Champions League and two FA Cups before his United exit in 2003.
During his time at Old Trafford, Beckham was in scintillating form for the 1996-97 season and scored 12 times and registered 11 assists in 49 appearances for United.
The ex-United star admitted that the aforementioned campaign was “one of the best seasons that I had ever had,” with Beckham wearing the No 10 shirt at the time.
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Beckham on United’s No 10 shirt and Mark Hughes
Speaking to Classic Football Shirts, Beckham was shown a version of his 1996-97 shirt and the former England captain said it was “amazing” to wear No 10.
The ex-Red Devils winger was thrilled that he had the opportunity to wear the same shirt number as United legend Mark Hughes, who wore No 10 during his spell.
Beckham also recalled how the arrival of Teddy Sheringham signalled Ferguson’s decision to relieve him of the No 10 shirt and hand him the iconic No 7 in its place.
“It was amazing because I… one of the players that I always looked up to was Mark Hughes,” Beckham said.
“So, for me, to wear [the] No 10 was very special and I remember being on holiday in Malta and my phone ringing and we just signed Teddy Sheringham. And it was, ‘Hi, it’s the Boss [Ferguson].’
“And I was like, ‘Okay, Boss, this is something different.’ He said, ‘We’re signing Teddy Sheringham, we’re taking the No 10.’ And I was like, ‘No, Boss, I had a great season in this No 10.’ [Ferguson said] ‘Nope, doesn’t matter, we’ll see you in a few weeks, David.’
“And that was it, and the No 10 got taken off me in one of the best seasons that I had ever had. But then I arrived back at training and the Boss says, ‘By the way, you’ve got No 7.’ And I was like, ‘Ohhhh.’”
Beckham on wearing the No 7
Beckham would take on the No 7 shirt and forge his own history in it, following in the same legendary footsteps of Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson and George Best.
Despite inheriting a prestigious shirt number in United’s history, the former England international admitted that he wasn’t fazed by the high expectations placed on it.
According to Beckham, he never felt the pressure that came with the No 7 shirt and he claimed that he was mainly happy to actually wear it in the first place.
When asked if he felt the weight of the No 7 shirt, he responded: “No, not really. Not really. It didn’t even enter my head, to be honest.
“I just thought wearing the No 7 of [Eric] Cantona and Bryan Robson and George Best, I never felt the pressure. I was just so happy to actually wear the No 7.”