Source: Telegraph
David Beckham stands up for Wayne Rooney
England v Slovakia, Wembley, Saturday 17.15On TV: Setanta Sports 1 (16:00-19:30)[LNB]Beckham famously got himself sent off in the 1998 World Cup and Rooney's discipline has been in the spotlight after his dismissal against Fulham at the weekend, when he punched a corner flag on his way to the dressing room.[LNB] Related ArticlesBeckham doesn't expect record to lastWhat became of Damned XI?Voronin: We don't fear EnglandFootball wrong to reject new anti-doping rulePapers: Fabio Capello chides Looney RooneyWayne Rooney escapes further sanction for Fulham red cardRooney also received a red card in the quarter-finals of England's last appearance at a major tournament, in 2006 against Portugal, and ahead of the matches against Slovakia and Ukraine Fabio Capello made a light-hearted reference during training to the Craven Cottage dismissal, saying that the Manchester United forward was a "crazy man".[LNB]"With Wayne Rooney you don't get the exceptional talent and player you have without that side of his game," said Beckham.[LNB]"If you take that side out of his game, he becomes a different player, a different animal. You don't want to take that out of him.[LNB]"Sometimes it flows over. He's done it a few times with myself. It happens. He knows it's not right, I know it's not right, but it happens. You don't want to take that out of him."[LNB]Beckham even argued that it would be dangerous for Rooney to curb his aggression. "I've got no concerns whatsoever," he said.[LNB]"Taking that away from a player is dangerous and I don't think anyone will try to take that away from Wayne. I don't think it is an issue. I don't need to speak to him but if he wanted to talk to me I would.[LNB]"Of course it is very hard, there are a lot of people looking up to you. I've reacted on the pitch and it wasn't a great reaction. It might be wrong but it is me showing I'm frustrated that we're losing.[LNB]"He's got enough people around him, there isn't a stronger manager than Sir Alex Ferguson to look after him and also Fabio Capello. He has two managers who can get the best out of him and they do that." [LNB]
