Taylor is unhappy with United approach

Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, accused Manchester United yesterday of trying to sell David Beckham like a "second-hand car".

"I can't see him agreeing to go anywhere - as one of the world's finest players, never mind one of Manchester United's finest players - that doesn't suit him," Taylor said of the transfer manoeuvres involving United and the Barcelona presidential candidate, Joan Laporta. "It's not a way I'd like to be treated. He's one of our finest members and he's been so loyal to Manchester United over the years, giving them so much in terms of footballing ability.

"I just find it incredulous that a club of Manchester United's stature should be issuing official statements with a person who is not officially in charge at Barcelona. And to use David's name really, as has happened before in Spain with other clubs, with the intent of winning an election for president of the club, is wrong.

"From David's point of view, it's harping back to the bad old days when it was just a matter for a club to decide whether a player goes or stays. Things have moved on and it's not the way I would want one of my members, even in the lowest club in the Third Division, to be treated. You wouldn't want to sell your second-hand car in such a way, never mind one of your finest assets.

"But I believe he has got another two years of his contract to run and he has a choice of whether he stays or whether he goes," Taylor added.