FOOTBALL: ANDY GRAY'S COLUMN: Ferguson got it spot on - Becks needed

SIR Alex Ferguson has judged the David Beckham situation perfectly.

Leaving out the England captain from his Manchester United side at a vital time was always going to spark a furore, but Fergie knew exactly what he was doing.

Beckham is a proud, patriotic man and he gave his all in the early- season World Cup qualifiers - particularly against Greece at Old Trafford.

But his lung-busting efforts have taken their toll, and Ferguson realised that immediately.

Most people have been surprised that Ferguson was prepared to go into a vital part of the season without Beckham's influential talent, but my feeling is that the massively experienced United boss has called it just right.

I saw Beckham in the games against Arsenal and Liverpool and he was a shadow of his normal self. He just wasn't the player who almost single-handedly clinched England's World Cup finals place against Greece with his superhuman efforts.

Beckham looked tired and jaded and was largely anonymous. There was clearly something wrong, and Ferguson spotted it.

It was good management. I don't know how serious the back problem is, but I suspect that Fergie made his decision more on the lad's need for a break than on injury grounds.

Leaving out a player of Beckham's profile is bound to attract all kinds of speculation, but I honestly don't think there is a problem.

Ferguson knew that Beckham had given all for club and country early in the season and was feeling the pace.

He wasn't quite knackered, but subjecting him to United's non- stop, gruelling schedule would have ensured that he would have broken down at some stage in the season.

And my feeling is that Beckham knew that as well. Ferguson wouldn't have taken such a major decision without consulting Beckham on it.

Ferguson knew that, after his early-season efforts, Beckham was exhausted both mentally and physically. The player, despite his undoubted enthusiasm, had nothing left in his tank and was running on empty.

Of course he was going to be disappointed because all he has ever wanted to do was play football. It isn't easy persuading a player as committed and passionate as Beckham that he needs a rest.

But Ferguson is a shrewd judge and he probably used next summer's World Cup finals as the lure to convince Beckham that a break was in the best interests of player, club and country.

Ferguson and Beckham have had their fall-outs down the years, but their relationship is more like father and son than player and manager.

David may have initially needed some persuading to take a breather, but I don't think there is a problem between the two.

I think the suggestion that there has been a bust-up is exaggerated.

No professional likes being on the sidelines, but I think Beckham will know exactly what is in his manager's mind.

Ferguson has some great midfield players at Old Trafford in Veron, Keane, Scholes and Giggs and the size and depth of Manchester United's squad should be able to accommodate Beckham's absence.

The United boss knows the long-term benefits of his controversial decision and I think Beckham appreciates them as well.

Okay, Manchester United may have lost to West Ham without their favourite son, but they also won handsomely against Boavista in the Champions League and against Derby County on Wednesday night.

It was a brave decision by Ferguson to leave Beckham out of the squad for yesterday's match at Middlesbrough, but Fergie is an experienced campaigner and he wouldn't do it unless he felt it was absolutely necessary.

I'm convinced that his strategy will ultimately benefit Manchester United, England and, above all, David Beckham.

He will come back from this little disappointment refreshed and with an increased appetite for the game.

And that's got to be good news for United's Champions League hopes - and Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup dreams.

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