Manchester United’s dismal 2024–25 season, which ended with a 15th-place Premier League finish and a weak Europa League final loss to Tottenham, has raised concerns far beyond the pitch.
The club’s post-season tour in Asia didn’t help the atmosphere either. In one friendly match, United were defeated by a charity team before securing a 3-1 win over Hong Kong. Now, with the tour concluded, the squad heads into their summer break, set to resume pre-season training in July. A final stop in Sweden and a three-game USA tour await before the new Premier League season begins on August 16.
But while results were poor, it’s the off-field controversies that truly disturbed former star David Beckham. The United icon expressed frustration with what he sees as unacceptable behavior from certain players, especially regarding their conduct toward supporters. Beckham emphasized that a few individuals have failed to properly represent the badge or uphold the club’s values.
Incidents involving Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo highlighted the tension. Garnacho, who’s been informed he may leave the club this summer, was involved in an argument with a fan and was also caught making an offensive gesture at a signing event in Kuala Lumpur. Amad, similarly, was filmed flipping off fans during the same tour.
Beckham didn’t hold back in calling out these actions. While he acknowledged the importance of performances on the field, he stressed that player behavior off the field also matters deeply. He noted that respecting fans is part of wearing the Manchester United shirt—a standard he believes is being ignored by some current players.
According to Beckham, professionalism and respect were once embedded in United’s culture. Players understood the meaning of the badge and upheld those values wherever they traveled. Today, he says, that standard is being broken by a select few—and as a passionate fan, he finds that unacceptable.