David Beckham sought to bring an end to the furore surrounding his future when he stated yesterday he wanted to stay at Manchester United.
Yet, accidentally or not, it was also notable that Beckham's declaration did not include anything to contradict the reports that his relationship with Alex Ferguson has become increasingly precarious over the past few months.
A week after Real Madrid announced they had no intentions of trying to sign the England captain, Beckham felt compelled yesterday to request an interview with the Manchester Evening News in which he reiterated his allegiance to Old Trafford.
"My feelings for Manchester United, the players, the fans and the backroom staff are as strong as ever," he said. "There has been lots of speculation in the media about my future, but I can honestly say there has been no contact between myself or my advisers with Real Madrid or any other club. I want to stay at Manchester United."
He added: "I know (the chief executive) Peter Kenyon and the manager (Alex Ferguson) are saying they want me to stay and that's good enough for me. My affection for the club has never changed from the day I signed."
Beckham, it transpired, had been embarrassed that the saga was threatening to overshadow United winning the Premiership title back from Arsenal.
However, it seems unlikely his declaration will halt the speculation, with newspapers in England and Spain still convinced he will move to the Bernabeu. There was nothing in Beckham's statement to say he has settled his differences with Ferguson after the infamous flying-boot incident and, more recently, his controversial omission from the team to play Real in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
His statement does, however, confirm he will not seek a transfer, which means the only way he could now be sold is if United's directors receive a bid they cannot refuse. Even then Kenyon would never dare to do so against Ferguson's wishes and it should not be overlooked that the manager, with the support of the board, is in the business of keeping his best players rather than selling them.
Meanwhile, Anglo-French relations have suffered again after Beckham was confirmed as the richest footballer in the world.
Chelsea's Marcel Desailly promptly put the boot in, claiming England's icon was more a show business personality than a footballer.
France's captain did not mince his words in assessing the role in the game of his England counterpart, who heads the list of top 20 earners published by France Football magazine yesterday with €15 million in annual earnings.
"David Beckham is no longer in the soccer world but he is an integral part of show business," said Desailly.
"He's surrounded by people who give him advice, from shoes to whether he should get a tattoo. Beckham has left traditional football while players like (Zinedine) Zidane or Ronaldo refuse to."
Real Madrid's Zidane €14 million and Ronaldo €11.7 million lie immediately behind Beckham, with his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand fourth €9.62 million.
The top 20 features a third United player, Corkman Roy Keane, plus Liverpool's Michael Owen, and Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry.
The confusion surrounding where United will receive the league trophy was settled yesterday when Everton reluctantly allowed the handover to take place after Sunday's match at Goodison Park.
Everton had angered United's fans, Sky TV, the Premier League and its sponsors Barclaycard by saying security could not be guaranteed and indicating the ceremony should be held at Old Trafford.
An Everton spokesman said: "We have now reached an amicable agreement with the Premier League.
"Manchester United will now receive their trophy on the pitch after Everton's players have taken their lap of honour. That will be between 25 and 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Guardian Service
