David Beckham credits his career to Sir Alex Ferguson for giving him his start at Manchester United

David Beckham, MLS All-Star Game 2011 (Getty Images)

HARRISON, N.J. - With hindsight, it seems obvious. Of course a coach should hand David Beckham – world superstar, veteran of over 100 caps for his national team, perhaps the best striker of a dead ball on the globe – his debut.

But Beckham remembers when he was a fresh-faced teenager, and recalls the bravery it took for Sir Alex Ferguson to trust his youth team to supply the next cycle of players for Manchester United's first team.

Even after a falling out with Ferguson and a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid nearly a decade ago, he's still grateful for what his first coach gave him.

“I had many years, many successful years playing under Sir Alex Ferguson,” Beckham said. “I wouldn't be in the position I am today if it wasn't for him, because he gave me a chance when I was 16, 17 years old and he had the faith to give youngsters a chance. I owe him a lot. He was a father figure to me for many years.”

The English midfielder completed 90 minutes against his old club Manchester United on Wednesday night as part of the MLS All-Star team. In addition to his fan allegiance to the reigning English champion, the shared history made it an emotional venture for the 36-year-old midfielder.

“Obviously, to play against Manchester United still with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, still with some of the players I played with and the fans I played in front of for many years, is emotional,” Beckham said. “It's always going to be emotional coming up against Manchester United. It's always difficult as well.”

MLS quickly learned just how difficult playing the Red Devils can be. Two goals against the run of play in the first half paved the way for a comprehensive 4-0 win to the team still in preseason preparations.

Beckham wasn't surprised at the gap in the scoreline.

“If you play at that level you don't stop at one-, two-nil,” the midfielder said. “You want to work hard because you want to get your fitness. You're not playing at a club like Manchester United to go through the motions and just to win 1-0.”

That competitive mentality saw Man United win the Premier League season with perhaps a more functional than glitzy roster. It's the same sort of mentality the side used to win the 1999 treble, Beckham claims, and it starts in the youth teams.

“Any new player who comes into Manchester United, they feel that straight away,” the LA Galaxy Designated Player said. “That seems installed into you from a very young age as a Manchester United youth team player and it carries on all the way through the team. It's [a] never-say-die attitude, is what Manchester United have.”