David Beckham stands up for Wayne Rooney

England v Slovakia, Wembley, Saturday 17.15On TV: Setanta Sports 1 (16:00-19:30)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. 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"."With Wayne Rooney you don't get the exceptional talent and player you have without that side of his game," said Beckham."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."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."Beckham even argued that it would be dangerous for Rooney to curb his aggression. "I've got no concerns whatsoever," he said."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."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."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."  

Source: Telegraph