As one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Manchester United have had plenty of icons in their ranks over the decades.
From the heroes of yesteryear like Duncan Edwards, George Best and Bobby Charlton to contemporary icons like Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo, there have been many to choose from.
Many British players currently plying their trade in the Premier League would have grown up watching the Manchester United stars of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious era.
West Ham United star James Ward-Prowse is one such player, and he has now has now spoken about his idol growing up, a player who made a huge name for himself at Old Trafford.
James Ward-Prowse idolised Manchester United icon David Beckham
Ward-Prowse was one of the guests on the latest episode of the Seaman Says podcast alongside West Ham teammate Lukasz Fabianski.
When asked about his idol growing up, Ward-Prowse named Man United cult hero David Beckham.
He said: “David Beckham for me! I mean, everything about him, like his image, I even copied a few of his haircuts as a kid!
“The boots, copying his free kicks in the garden, yeah I think he was just… I think every kid at that point was just in love with Beckham, so yeah.”
Seaman then asked Ward-Prowse about the worst Beckham haircut he copied, and he said: “A mohawk, but like spiked up. Mum wasn’t too pleased with that!”
Sadly, when asked whether he had met Beckham, Ward-Prowse said no.
David Beckham’s Manchester United career
London-born Beckham began his football journey at youth club Ridgeway Rovers before spending time at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy.
In 1991, the boyhood Man United fan joined the Old Trafford club’s academy, and he went on to make his debut a year later.
Beckham spent 11 years on Man United’s books, making 394 appearances and registering 85 goals and 121 assists.
During his time at Old Trafford, Beckham won the 1999 Champions League, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four Community Shields and an Intercontinental Cup.
Beckham then joined Real Madrid in 2003 for a fee of around £25million, where he won the 2006/07 La Liga title and a Spanish Supercup.
He also played for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan – on loan – and Paris Saint-Germain, before hanging up his boots in 2013.
Beckham also played for and captained England, winning 115 caps for the Three Lions and registering 17 goals and 42 assists.
