David vs. Pariah: Is It a Good Move For Beckham To Return To Manchester United?

David Beckham today issued a "come and get me" plea to Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson as he looks to rejoin the team that has remained close to his heart throughout his life.

The midfielder, who would become available on loan in the New Year, is hungry for regular football at the highest level as he tries to shine under the watchful eyes of England boss Fabio Capello and remain a key member of the national squad.

Ferguson has already surprised the footballing world once already this summer with the acquisition of veteran and ex-Liverpool striker, Michael Owen. The Man United boss even saw fit to hand him the legendary number seven shirt following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Owen's impact has been instantaneous, scoring twice in three preseason games, including a winning goal.

Which begs the question, if Beckham was to return, what impact would he have? And how open would the gaffer and the fans be to such a move?

The Ferguson Factor

Once you leave Manchester United, you don't ever come back. Ferguson is a master at ousting players that are either troublesome, past their best or just not needed and at the same time, retaining the respect of the fans who maybe sad to see their hero's leave.

Ruud Van Nistlerooy, one of the clubs greatest goalscorers of all time was shunned because of his reported bad attitude. He's not afraid to rid the team of anyone despite their reputation or their impact.

Beckham, like Ruud was sold because Fergie felt that his life at that time was more glamour fuelled than football orientated. Life had become Hello magazine for Beckham, and so found himself in sunny Madrid before the lifestyle became infectious with other players in the squad.

A fallout between the superstar and Ferguson was born (culminating in Ferguson kicking a boot following a loss to Arsenal, only for it to hit Beckham in the eyebrow, later needing stitches) and only recently has it cooled.

Has Ferguson softened enough to swallow his pride and bring the 34 year old back to Old Trafford? He certainly isn't the raging, red faced, boot kicking demon he once was.

Maybe the fallout can be forgiven and Ferguson could get himself another freebie in the transfer market and add to a very average midfield that currently just isn't good enough to compete on all fronts next season.

If such a move did happen, what advantages would "Golden Balls" bring?

Use of his abilities in the team

No-one in the world can cross a ball like Beckham. No-one can flight the ball like he does and no-one can spin a free kick like him either.

It's widely expected that Manchester United will switch back to a conventional 4-4-2 following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo whom was given the free role in a very fluid and position-less attacking formation.

And Beckham could be perfect in that conventional 4-4-2. His crossing as I mentioned is sublime and could easily provide the ammo for the big Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov to fire home.

Simply, Manchester United do not score enough from crosses and Beckham could rectify this, if given space and time to do his magic. This tactic of course was never quite used enough when Ronaldo occupied the wings, mostly down to the fact that he was more dangerous dribbling towards defenders and shooting.

Speaking of Ronaldo, there is another area that he once mastered that Beckham could now claim as his once again—free kick taking.

The Portuguese ace was the number one free kick taker and was very rarely left out when it came to a set piece. Now with Ronaldo over in sunny Madrid, there are no obvious free kick takers in the squad and Beckham could easily take this responsibility and appease those fans with his curling wonders.

He hasn't a bad strike rate when it comes to them either.

Development of Youth

There are at this moment in time, some fantastic youth's plying their trade at Manchester United. Fedrico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, Darren Gibson, Adam Ljajic and of course Zoran Tosic (who is very Beckham like himself) could all benefit from some playing time with Becks.

Ferguson once credited Rio Ferdinhand's meteoric rise in the Man United team to Laurent Blanc, who was playing with the Red Devils in his twilight years. Merely training with the Frenchman really gave an advantage to Rio during his early years at Old Trafford and helped shape him into the world class player he is today.

Becks too can become that sort of figure at the Carrington training ground and give the youngsters an extra-edge.

Financial Benefit

Here's the part none of us want to hear, but fact of the matter is, football is a business now and isn't really the pure sporting joy it once was. The innocence has long left the "beautiful game" and Manchester United are unfortunately no different.

Suffering from massive debts and interest payments of £43 million on that debt, they need all the tours and jersey sales they can get.

That's another area Becks can really have an impact. No matter what team Beckham plays at, the jersey sales rocket into the heavens.

Asia is the one area that commercially, Manchester can lay claim to. And with the jersey sales and attention that the acquisition of Beckham would bring, it would be very hard for any other team to ever break the strangle hold that the Red Devils have placed on the Asian continent.

Funnily enough, writing this article and thinking of all the advantages, financial benefit was the first thing that popped into my mind. Just goes to show how much football (and its fans attitudes) has changed from the game we all played as youngsters to the financial institutions they are now.

The Disadvantages

Of course its not all great and good. There are various concerns over Beckham's fitness and whether or not he can still cut it.

You may argue that he was such a success in his last loan spell with Italian giants A.C Milan proves he is still at the top. But what about the Premier League which is faster, tougher and more vicious than the Serie A?

A rainy day in Ewood Park with Cristopher Samba bearing down on you is a far cry from a sunny afternoon in Palermo...

Another worry is the timing of his arrival if such a move blossomed. Beckham can't join till January when the MLS ends and there is a strong chance that Man United may have settled into a good chemistry and that should not be disturbed.

Its very likely United will be in a strong position in the league and to upset that chemistry (especially when United are traditionally stronger after Christmas) may prove their undoing.

The Conclusion

Whether or not Fergie even considers this potential move we don't know. It's very unlikely that he would bring back one of his ex-players but the times are changing and who knows, maybe he will.

With the World Cup coming up next summer and Becks desperate to make the squad with regular football, it might provide that extra edge and motivation that may otherwise lie dormant.

After all, Ferguson is using this incentive on Owen to get him to hit the back of the net often, why not with Mr.Beckham too?

It would also send out a message that Man United are taking up a new (and very strange for Fergie) transfer ethic and refuse to pay huge amounts of money for players where they simply cannot compete with Manchester City and Real Madrid.

I for one wont be unhappy if the midfielder does return. We still love him and his return would be the perfect boost before a tough, competitive season.

I imagine Beckham wouldn't mind it either.

"I'd love to go back to United because they are the team I support," Beckham said today.

Watch this space...