Beckham backed by Real coach

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon has lent his support to struggling midfielder David Beckham.

The England captain, who has just returned from a six-week injury lay-off, came in for a lot of criticism in the Spanish media following an inept display during Real’s 3-0 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.

It has been suggested that, regardless of his form, Beckham is guaranteed a place in the starting eleven, because of his huge marketing value to Madrid.

“To say anyone’s place in the team is non-negotiable is absurd,” retorted Remon.

“He or any other player would be on the bench if I thought it was deserved and not because of any internal or external pressure.

“We are not going to concentrate all our bad points on one player, that would be tremendously unfair.

“Beckham has come back after six weeks out injured.

“Everyone knows what he means to Real Madrid and how important he was to us in the early weeks of the season.”