A closer look at several headlines surrounding Manchester United as David Beckham receives his knighthood and another club hero discusses his much-changed appearance
Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham has celebrated receiving his knighthood. The United icon was named part of King Charles‘ Birthday Honours list in June.
Beckham has been awarded the honour for services to sport and charity. The 50-year-old spent most of his football career at Old Trafford, rising through the ranks as part of the famed Class of ‘92 and making 394 appearances for the Red Devils, winning six Premier League titles, the 1999 Champions League, and many other major honours.
Beckham’s footballing success and other ventures have enabled the former England captain to amass substantial wealth. However, his riches are a mere fraction compared to one of his former team-mates.
Meanwhile, another former United star who shared a dressing room with Beckham has admitted that his much-changed appearance left several club icons shocked. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some headlines surrounding United.
David Beckham net worth dwarfed
The Sunday Times Rich List states that David and Victoria Beckham have a combined net worth of £500million. However, former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who played alongside Beckham during his two loan spells at AC Milan, is reportedly worth 20 times more than the England legend.
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While Beckham has earned huge sums through various sponsorships and business ventures, Flamini took a different route. In 2008, while he was still playing football, the Frenchman co-founded GFBiochemicals.
The company has become renowned for its production of levulinic acid, which, according to the Daily Mail, helps reduce CO2 emissions during the manufacturing of certain products by up to 80 per cent.
Through the company’s work developing alternatives to fossil-based products, The Sun reports that GFBiochemicals CEO Flamini has an eye-watering £10billion net worth. He himself recently met King Charles after joining the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance.
Victoria Beckham agrees to name change
Victoria Beckham has agreed to change her name following her husband David receiving his knighthood. The former Spice Girl previously shared her delight on social media about her spouse becoming a Sir.
“You’ve always been my knight in shining armour, but now it’s official. Sir David Beckham!” she wrote in June. “What an honour, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most – your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family – has never wavered.
“The way you’ve touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us every day. But above all else, I’m so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much.”
As a result of David’s knighthood, Victoria has agreed to change her name. She will now be referred to as Lady Beckham, the designation given to a woman who is married to a ‘Sir’. It is an optional title change, which Victoria has decided to accept.
Man Utd hero surprises club icons
Former United star Brian McClair shared how his much-changed look in recent years led to confusion. McClair won four Premier League titles with United during his 11-year spell as a player, later becoming the director of the club’s youth academy after hanging up his boots.
McClair’s ties to the club span generations through his work on and off the pitch. However, the 61-year-old’s long white hair and beard left United heroes Dimitar Berbatov and Louis Saha stunned during a recent charity game between the Red Devils and Celtic..
“I was going between each dressing room and just listening to people chatting. It was nice to see ex-United kit man Albert Morgan, who was telling me what was happening with them. It was good to see people I shared rooms with as well.
“I had all the Celtic kit on and saw Louis Saha. He just looked up and said, ‘F****** hell, I didn’t recognise you.’ I said that was me tidied up and making an effort.” McClair, who hosts his Life with Brian podcast. “Then I was outside and Berbatov was there and I said, ‘Hello, you all right?’
“He just looked at me kind of strangely but then I went back in again and he came over. He said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t recognise you, I thought it might have been you but thought no, no, it couldn’t possibly be you.’ It was nice to be recognised anyway even under this cunning disguise.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
