6 controversies Sir Alex Ferguson had as Manchester United manager

#5 The David Beckham incident

The incident became famous as the flying 'boot incident'

David Beckham was a member of the famed 'Class of '92', going on to become arguably its most famous export.

The United and England legend was a delight to behold on the United wings, delighting fans with his pinpoint deliveries and freekick precision and was a major component in the early success enjoyed by Ferguson at Old Trafford.

It was a match made in heaven, as Fergie proved to be the father figure on the touchline, while Beckham did his magical thing on the field of play, even finishing second on two occasions in the FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

Their relationship, however, began to go downhill following Beckham's very public romance (now marriage) with former spice Spice Girl Victoria 'Posh', as Fergie saw it as a big distraction to the young player's career.

The Spice Girls were the hottest thing in Britain back then, as passionate fans sought to know everything about them (including their love life) and thus Beckham was thrust into the glitterati lifestyle of celebrities, with paparazzi following him around to know his every move.

This proved to be the breaking point in their relationship, as 'Becks' became more interested in his looks and public appearances than his football, with matters coming to a head in 2003 when Ferguson allegedly threw a boot at him at halftime which facilitated his move to Real Madrid.

Ferguson stated in his 2013 biography that he believed Beckham would have become an even better player but for his marriage to Victoria.

The infamous boot incident in 2003 saw Beckham's United career come to a premature end, although most fans would see it as a blessing in disguise as it prompted the arrival of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.