Beckham Paints Rosy Picture of Ferguson

England captain David Beckham says his autobiography will paint a rosy picture of former boss Alex Ferguson, despite extracts describing his falling out with the Manchester United manager.

Excerpts in the British media have focused on a dressing room clash between the two men after last season's FA Cup tie defeat by Arsenal. Beckham said he had to be pulled away from Ferguson after being hit by a boot kicked by the fiery Scot.

In another section of his book, to be published next Friday, Beckham admits he thought seriously last year of quitting soccer, partly because of the state of his relationship with Ferguson.

But despite the widely-publicized criticism of his ex-chief, Beckham told reporters on Friday: "I respect him as a manager -- that's the way it is and how it will always be."

"He's done so much for me in my career," said the 28-year-old, who left the English champions for Real Madrid in the close season.

"People are talking about the negative stuff in the book, but they haven't actually read the positive stuff yet about Sir Alex Ferguson."

"He was my manager for 15 years, he signed me at the club, he made me into the player I was and all the positive stuff will come out...and there is a lot more positive than negative about him."

Beckham, preparing for England's Euro 2004 qualifier with Macedonia on Saturday, stressed how much he was enjoying life at Real and lining up with the likes of Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.

But he insisted he had been anything but unhappy with the playing side of life at United where he had won a string of domestic trophies and the 1999 European Cup.

"I've moved on...I'm enjoying the new experience of playing in a different country, in a different league with different players," he said.

"But I was happy playing with the players at Manchester United. They're my friends and I regarded them as my family."

It was also clear his departure for mighty Real had not diminished his perception of United's standing.

Interrupting a question about having joined a great club, Beckham said: "I was at a great club anyway."