Manchester United Defends Decision to Sell Beckham

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has defended the club's decision to sell midfielder David Beckham to Real Madrid, saying he was concerned the England captain might not sign a new contract.

Kenyon said the €35 million transfer was only instigated after Beckham did not react positively to United's offer of a new deal.

Beckham had two years remaining on his Old Trafford contract when United agreed to sell their most marketable player.

"Normally, when a player has two years left on his contract we either renew his deal or accept that it might be best he move on elsewhere, allowing us to earn a fee on his sale," Kenyon told Thursday's Manchester Evening News.

"What does not make sense for the club is to let top players leave at the end of their contract on a free transfer."

"In David's case our approach in mid-May to his advisors about extending his current deal, which had just two years to run, did not meet with an immediate positive response."

"Around the same time, we were approached by several clubs in Spain and Italy, who were interested in buying David."

"We were also told by the player's advisors at the SFX agency that they too had been contacted by foreign clubs about David."

"It was at this point that it became clear a transfer deal involving David might prove beneficial not only for the club but also for the player."

"We knew David was excited by the opportunity of playing abroad, and we felt that if we could generate a substantial fee in a transfer deal it would support our efforts to strengthen the squad for next season."

"From that point onwards, it was our job at United to get the right deal for the club and SFX's job to do the same for David. In that regard, I believe we have both succeeded."

Kenyon added that United have acted in an honorable manner throughout Beckham's move to Spain.

"Some people have criticized Manchester United for the way we have handled the deal, and for working behind the player's back," he said.

"This is simply not true. I know we conducted the negotiations and our dealings with all parties in the right and proper way during the whole process, with David's advisors kept informed of developments throughout."

"The club has parted company with David on excellent terms."

Kenyon also dismissed criticism from supporters that United did not negotiate a reasonable fee for Beckham.

"The total fee we agreed with Madrid has been viewed by some as low, particularly when compared to the money spent by us and other top clubs on players in recent years," said Kenyon.

"However, the reality is that in the past 12 months the football transfer market has virtually collapsed, with player values falling dramatically, mainly because of the economic problems facing many clubs and the subsequent shortage of buyers."

"In this depressed market, we believe a fee of up to 35 million euros for a player just two years from the end of his contract represents a very good deal for United."

"I think in the coming weeks some of the transfer fees that will be negotiated among football clubs in Europe will prove me right on that," he added.