But Beckham was sold to Real Madrid in 2003 after a reported breakdown in his relationship with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Reports in France are currently linking the 36-year-old with a move to wealthy Paris St Germain as a player as he nears the end of his current contract with LA Galaxy.

But Beckham has never made any secret of his desire to one day go back to United and he would even be prepared to occupy a role behind the scenes.

Having watched former Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane take up a similar role at the Bernabeu, Beckham said with regard to United: “I’d love to do that.

“The best memory of my career came in 1999, no doubt, when Manchester United won the Treble.

“In my opinion, no club can repeat that feat.”