05 June 2024 , 10:14
418
0
David Beckham wasn't aware his name was misspelt in front of 73,000 fans as he played for Manchester United against Chelsea in the 1997 Charity Shield win.
On the back of the Red Devils legend's white shirt, his name read 'Beckam', with former kit man Albert Morgan insisting that he was not responsible for the infamous wardrobe malfunction. Beckham, however, put the blame at Morgan's door - but also admitted it was the 2013 retirees' only mistake.
Appearing on ClassicFootballShirts' 'Career in Shirts' YouTube series in 2023, Beckham said: "That was Albert Morgan, the kit man. That was one of his mistakes - his only mistake."
On whether he found the embarrassing ordeal funny, Beckham admitted he wasn't too enthused. "No, not at all. It's not hard to spell my name!" Becks added.
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe risks wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson with ruthless Man Utd ban
READ MORE: Man Utd fans have Erik ten Hag sack theory after now-deleted social media post
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Morgan put the kit blunder down to subcontractors, as that's how United used to operate. "We used to subcontract the shirts out then, to people," Morgan revealed to talkSPORT at the premiere of '99'. "I used to take two long sleeves and two short sleeves for every player. So you've got, like, 30 players in the squad and so I used to take 120 shirts. Outfield player shirts.
“And that day I just happened to pick this shirt with the 'H' missing [from his surname]. I’ve still not heard the last of it off Becks because he’s still got the shirt apparently!”
Becks went on to play at Old Trafford until 2003 before joining Real Madrid in a blockbuster transfer. The 49-year-old is regarded as one of football's best-ever, especially in the set-piece and passing department. Beckham also played for LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Beckham blamed United's kitman, Albert Morgan, who retired in 2013 (Getty)He is now the co-owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami, signing Barcelona legends Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Inter Miami has also enjoyed its best-ever start to an MLS campaign, picking up 35 points in 18 games, placing them top of the Eastern Conference.
Messi remarkably reached 25 goal contributions in 13 MLS games, the quickest the league has ever seen. "It's just that effect that Leo has on the game and the world," Beckham told Jimmy Kimmel on the World Cup-winning Argentine's signing. One of the reasons we wanted to bring him to America was to inspire the next generation. That was my plan. I obviously wanted to bring him for the player he is and the person he is. I played against him numerous times, actually twice thankfully, but I've been a fan of him and watched him for many years.
"And I always had the plan to bring the greatest player to ever play the game, in my opinion, to our team. Luckily, it happened."