David Beckham says he "owes everything" to Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of the Manchester United great's 80th birthday.
As a youngster, Beckham had spells with Tottenham, Leyton Orient and Norwich City while also spending time at Charlton's football schools in Manchester which is where he caught the eye of the former United and England captain.
United won 13 trophies during Beckham's time at Old Trafford, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League once, and the retired midfielder has paid tribute to Charlton on the BBC documentary 'Sir Bobby Charlton at 80'.
"That's how my career started at Manchester United. I went to [the Bobby Charlton soccer school] at 10 years old and went back there the year after and ended up winning the competition.
"That was when Sir Bobby contacted Manchester United and said ‘maybe you should have a look out for this young kid’.
"So I owe everything to Sir Bobby because, if not, maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance of living my dream of playing for the club that I’d supported for so many years and the club my Dad supported.
He added: "He has always been about being successful, but even more so about helping other people. That’s what’s so special about him - he’s respected on the field, but even more so off the field.
