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Beckham sports scar after Fergie bust up

Pa
Monday 17 February 2003 01:00 GMT
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David Beckham sported a serious gash above his left eye today after his bust up with Sir Alex Ferguson.

The England captain was hit in the face after the Manchester United manager kicked a football boot across the changing room at Old Trafford on Saturday. Beckham, 27, who needed two stitches to the wound, reacted with fury, reportedly storming away from the ground with his wife Victoria and their son Brooklyn.

The incident has led to fears that the player and his boss could become locked in a damaging rift.

Beckham looked grim-faced as he left his home at Nether Alderley, Cheshire, today.

He made no attempt to hide the wound from waiting photographers with his trademark blond hair pulled back by a hairband.

Sir Alex kicked out at the boot in fury as he gave his team a dressing down for their 2-0 home defeat at the hands of rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup 5th round.

Beckham, who earns millions as the face of brands including Police sunglasses, Vodafone and Pepsi, chose not to wear any of his collection of hats or bandanas.

The star midfielder was substituted during the fifth round match after injuring his right leg.

He received medical treatment at the ground after the dressing room incident and left immediately afterwards, according to The Sun.

A Manchester United spokesman refused to comment on the bust up, saying: "Whatever happens in the dressing room remains private."

Television viewers saw the United boss red-faced and seething in a post-match interview in which he accused the Arsenal players of diving.

The intense rivalry he shares with Arsene Wenger is legendary and his outburst prompted a war of words with the Arsenal boss.

It is not thought that 60-year-old Sir Alex intentionally set out to hurt anyone in the dressing room.

However, the fiery Scotsman is renowned in football circles for his "tea cup throwing" post-match dressing room antics.

Many former players have recounted his infamous "hairdrying treatment" in which he leans his face inches away from the player's and launches into a tirade, often lasting minutes.

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