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had me in stitches

David Beckham jokes about Sir Alex Ferguson boot-kicking incident while at Manchester United

Retired superstar quipped it was only after the row that he realised how good a player his boss was

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DAVID BECKHAM has opened up about the infamous boot-kicking incident of 2003.

The former Manchester United star needed stitches about his eye after former boss Sir Alex Ferguson struck him accidentally with some footwear.

 David Beckham needed stitches after the dressing-room incident
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David Beckham needed stitches after the dressing-room incidentCredit: PA:Press Association

Fergie's notorious temper spilled over in the dressing room after a defeat to Arsenal - but Beckham sees the funny side.

He said: "We had a couple of wobbles in the 13 years.

"On Champions League nights the boss would always come out onto the pitch.

"He would be taking penalties and free-kicks and telling all of the players how great he was when he played.

 Ex-Manchester United star David Beckham can see the funny side now
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Ex-Manchester United star David Beckham can see the funny side nowCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 David Beckham is in China on a promotional tour
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David Beckham is in China on a promotional tourCredit: Getty - Contributor

"The time when I really got to find out how great he was was the game against Arsenal.

"I'd made a couple of mistakes during the game and he came into the changing room and we had a couple of words.


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"He started to walk over to me and he kicked a pile of clothes on the floor. Out came this boot and it hit me and then I realised how accurate he actually was!"

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 Becks remains a huge name in the football world
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Becks remains a huge name in the football worldCredit: Getty - Contributor
 David Beckham was all smiles despite the cold weather in Shanghai
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David Beckham was all smiles despite the cold weather in ShanghaiCredit: Getty - Contributor

In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson said: “In his final season with us, we were aware that David's work rate was dropping and we had heard rumours of a flirtation between Real Madrid and David's camp.

“The main issue was that his application level had dropped from its traditionally stratospheric level.

 Alex Ferguson is a far more relaxed man these days
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Alex Ferguson is a far more relaxed man these daysCredit: Reuters

"He was around 12 feet from me. Between us on the floor lay a row of boots.

"David swore. I moved towards him, and as I approached I kicked a boot.

“It hit him right above the eye. Of course he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him.”

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