Paper Review: David Beckham, Romelu Lukaku, World Cup 2022, England

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England midfielder David Beckham has emerged from retirement in one of Saturday's newspapers.

The 37-year-old admits he had second thoughts about quitting the game at the end of last season and has backed David Moyes at Old Trafford.

On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku insists the blame for his departure from Stamford Bridge for Everton lies with him and not Blues manager Jose Mourinho.

But what other stories are making the headlines in the papers on Saturday? Read on to find out more.

David Beckham Admits Retiring Uncertainty and Offers David Moyes Full Support

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England legend Beckham has admitted he had second thoughts about retiring from the game at the end of last season, reports Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy man left the sport at the end of last season when his short-term deal with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end.

But Beckham concedes it was not an easy decision to make.

"

A decision like that, I was always going to second guess myself.

I was always going to question whether I was going to make the right decision or not.

But I think you always do that as an athlete, you always feel like you can play on when you can’t. That’s the passion behind the athlete.

"

Despite United undergoing an awkward transition under Moyes after 26 years of Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham is fully supportive of the new boss.

"

There was always going to be that moment when Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Who was going to take over, what was it going to be like when a new manager came in, were they going to be the same force as they have been over the last 20 years?

They will be because they are Manchester United. There’s a transitional period that will happen but David Moyes is a very good manager.

"

Romelu Lukaku Says 'Blame Me' for Chelsea Exit, Not Jose Mourinho

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Some Chelsea supporters might have questioned why Mourinho allowed striker Lukaku to join Everton on a season-long loan move.

But the Belgian forward insists the decision to move away from Stamford Bridge for the current Premier League campaign was down to him and not the manager, reports Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph.

And Lukaku believes his decision to join Everton will help him establish himself in the Belgium team ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

"

I did not know if I would be playing for Chelsea so I asked the manager to let me leave. We spoke and I told him.

It’s unfair to criticise Mourinho for letting me go because it was my decision. He knows what he is doing.

I could have stayed and fought, but it was not about the competition. When you are a 20-year-old you need minutes. I lost my place in the national team because I did not play for a year with Chelsea.

I want that position back. I want to be in a top team and play. You only get better if you play so the best thing was to leave.

He’d called me into his office 10 days before the end of the window. I did not want to tell him what I wanted to do at that point, but he was very open and direct.

I always wanted to work under him and even the time in pre-season he taught me lots I’m grateful for but I had to make a choice.

"

Sepp Blatter Criticised over View on Working Conditions at 2022 Qatar World Cup

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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has come under fire from the International Trade Union Confederation for saying the world governing body could not apply direct pressure on improving conditions for workers on the 202 World Cup in Qatar, reports Robin Scott-Elliot of The Independent.

Blatter said on Friday that the world governing body was concerned at reports of fatalities during the construction of stadia for the 2022 finals but claimed FIFA could not alter the situation, claims Scott-Elliot.

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The workers’ rights will be the responsibility for Qatar and the companies – many of them European companies – who work there.

It is not FIFA’s primary responsibility but we cannot turn a blind eye but it is not a direct intervention from FIFA that can change things.

I will meet with the new Emir for a courtesy visit to confirm the World Cup 2022.

We will also touch on this concern, the working conditions, but we are not the ones that can actually change it. It does concern us [but] this is not FIFA’s remit.

"

However, Blatter's view has not impressed International Trade Union Confederation general secretary Sharan Burrow, according to the Independent article.

"

The settlement of this global dispute is dependent on actions by FIFA and the political will of the Qatari authorities, which are still absent.

FIFA’s offer is an insult to the bereaved families.

"

England Could Face Brazil or Spain in World Cup Group Stages in 2014

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England could be facing a world super power in the group stages in Brazil if they qualify for the 2014 World Cup, reports Dan King of The Sun (subscription required).

FIFA will use the world rankings for this month to decide on the seedings for the tournament, reports King, which will mean Roy Hodgson's side could be grouped with hosts Brazil or holders Spain in the group stages next year.

Even if England defeat both Montenegro and Poland at Wembley this month, it will not be enough to force their way into the top seeds, according to King.

If England, who are currently 17th in the FIFA rankings, qualify automatically by winning their qualification group, they will face Germany and Uruguay in friendlies next month, but those results will not count towards the World Cup group stage draw, claims the report.

Bits and Pieces: David Moyes, Kenny Dalglish, Luis Suarez, Cardiff City

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Manchester United manager Moyes has warned supporters not to expect major signings during the January transfer window, reports David Anderson of the Daily Mirror.

United have suffered their worst start to a Premier League season and are currently 12th in the table, but Moyes does not believe the January window offers success in the search for big-name players.

Former Liverpool manager and player Kenny Dalglish has been appointed to the Anfield board as a non-executive director, reports David Maddock of the Daily Mirror.

Paris Saint-German and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani says international teammate Luis Suarez is waiting for Real Madrid to make their move before leaving Liverpool, according to James Andrew of the Daily Mail.

Cardiff City players have asked for club owner Vincent Tan to be banned from the dressing room on match days in a row over bonus payments, reports Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce says he will re-sign striker Carlton Cole if he comes through a practice match during the international break, claims Chris Richards of the Daily Mirror.