Beckham hopes to be role model to Rooney
By By Peter Jenson (www.timesonline.co.uk)
Updated: 2005-09-20 09:24

“I’d like to think I can be an example to him. Wayne respects all the senior players in the England team and all the senior players respect the younger players. And he has got experienced players at United like Roy Keane that he can look up to — that is the sort of person he needs to follow.”

Long before he was directing flying boots at him, Beckham had the guiding hand of Sir Alex Ferguson on his shoulder to help him deal with his first season back in England after becoming public enemy No 1 for his World Cup moment of madness.“I am sure Sir Alex Ferguson has got the situation in hand,” Beckham said. “He gave me a lot of support, as did the players and fans at United. I’ve always said that in terms of the support he needs he could not be at a better club. Alex Ferguson doesn’t need me to tell him how to handle players — that is what he is good at.”

Beckham had a test of composure on Sunday, when Sergio Sánchez, the Espanyol substitute who was warming up close to the corner flag, shouted just as Beckham was about to take his kick. Beckham exchanged angry words with the Spaniard, who later claimed he merely coughed as the kick was taken. Sánchez claimed that Beckham aimed a slap in his direction after the match, an accusation Beckham laughed off.

Jonathan Woodgate is likely to play his first match for Real on Wednesday, at home to Athletic Bilbao. Woodgate’s debut — 17 months after he last played, for Newcastle United — is likely because of Sergio Ramos’s red card on Sunday and an injury to Ivan Helguera, his central defensive partner.

“I think he (Woodgate) is certainly ready to play,” Beckham said. “He has been working hard for a year and a bit now, so he can’t wait to get back out there. It’s important for him to get in the team and show everybody what a great player he is.”