David Beckham has dismissed suggestions he will be leaving Real Madrid in January, despite his frustrations at not starting regularly under new manager Fabio Capello this season.
Beckham has been linked with moves back to Britain or to America as, with his current contract at Real running out next summer, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January.
Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano has been suspended from training after an incident following the Primera Liga match against Gimnastic in Tarragona on Saturday, the club said in a statement on Monday.
Real said Cassano, who spent the game on the bench, had shown a lack of respect for coach Fabio Capello after the game but gave no details of the incident.
Spanish newspapers said Cassano had confronted Capello, demanding to be a first-choice player. The Italian has started few games this season.
"I deserve to play and be a starter," sports newspaper AS quoted Cassano as saying to Capello after the match which Real won 3-1.
Real Madrid said that in addition to the unspecified suspension, the player will also be fined.
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hasn't given up his interest in Barcelona superkid Lionel Messi.
The Argentine whiz was a target for Real presidential candidates before Calderon's election victory over the summer.
DiarioSport says sources close to Calderon insist he hasn't shelved plans to prise Messi away from the Nou Camp and would even consider to paying his £100 million buyout clause should the youngster indicate he's ready to quit Barca.
MATCH REPORT:
1- NÁSTIC: Rubén Pérez; Ruz, Cáceres, Llera, Mingo; Abel, Juan (Merino, 53’); Cuellar, Pinilla, Gil (Campano, 68’); Makukula (Ismael, 71’).
3- REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Raúl, Diarra, Emerson, Guti (Reyes, 72’), Robinho; Van Nistelrooy.
GOALS:
1-0, min.29: Abel penalty kick.
1-1, min.43: Roberto Carlos direct free kick.
1-2, min.49: Helguera header off Guti corner kick.
1-3, min.84: Robinho cross shot.
REFEREE: Mejuto González. Asturian Refereeing Association. Booked Cannavaro (27’), Ruz (31’), Juan (35’) and Mingo (38’)
NOTES: Matchday 8 of the Spanish League played at the Nou Estadi in Tarragona filled to capacity.
| Gimnastic | Real Madrid | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | |||||||||
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| Real Madrid Castilla | Xerez | |||||
| 1 | 1 | |||||
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David Beckham will be forced to miss Real Madrid�s Primera Division match against Gimnastic this weekend.
The former England captain strained a thigh muscle in his side�s 1 � 1 King�s Cup tie against third division Ecija on Wednesday. That was only the second time in eight matches in which he has started a match this season.
This injury comes at a time where there is much conjecture as to his future.
At this stage the extent of his injury is unknown.
Real�s next fixture after Gimnastic will be when they host Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League next Wednesday. Real lie in second place in Group E, three points behind leaders Olympique Lyon.
Lyon has expressed interest over Real target Marcelo of Fluminense, according to Brazilian media.
The 18-year-old full back has been a target for Real Madrid recently. Besides impressing for Flu, he has also featured in Dunga's Brazil squad.
Flu is reportedly forced to offload some players in January, and so far Marcelo was reported to be set for a �6.5 million deal with Real.
But Lyon now has asked Marcelo not to sign until he has heard their offer.
Real Madrid's players insist their 1-1 draw with lowly Ecija was a decent result considering the difficult conditions the match was played in.
A much-weakened Real side were held by their third-division opponents in the first leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-32 encounter at a rain-drenched San Pablo stadium on Wednesday night.
Critics will point to this being another poor result for Real, who suffered an embarrassing 1-0 league defeat to Getafe recently, but the players themselves do not believe that is the case.
Defender Alvaro Mejia said: "Ecija played well and they adapted to the pitch better than we did. But I think it's a good result.
"We will be favourites at home, and we'll give it all we've got to win. Playing was a challenge for both teams.
"They did better at adjusting to the circumstances. They played their game and it worked out for them. The pitch was the deciding factor because we couldn't open up our game."
Winger Jose Antonio Reyes was also full of praise for Ecija, but is confident Real can stamp their authority on their opponents in the return leg at the Bernabeu next month.
"They really put up a fight, but playing football on a pitch like this one is virtually impossible," he said on Real's official website.
"We're one step away from moving on to the next round, but we can't take it for granted. They played a great match. They pressured us well and used the wings to their advantage."
Reyes was one of a handful of full internationals Real coach Fabio Capello selected for the match, with fringe and reserve players making up the rest of the side.
David Beckham, Mahamadou Diarra and goalscorer Antonio Cassano also started, as did Brazil striker Ronaldo, who was happy to get a run out after missing Real's 2-0 win over Barcelona at the weekend through suspension.
"I am pleased with how I did despite the poor conditions and how we played. It's all a part of my preparation and recovery," said Ronaldo, who is still battling his way back to full fitness after undergoing surgery in the summer.
"It's satisfactory when you consider the playing conditions. We still have the second leg left, and that's where the final result will be decided."
Capello felt his side could have won the game at the end, but believes a draw was a fair result.
"It was very difficult to play football. For that reason the result was just," he said.
"We had several clear opportunities at the end of the game which could have decided it."Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon remains confident that David Beckham will sign a contract renewal with the club despite reports the former England captain may leave the Primera Liga side.
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to sell former England captain David Beckham for £5million in January's transfer window.
The 31-year-old midfielder cannot hold down a starting spot for the Galacticos under new coach Fabio Capello.
And with Beckham refusing to pen a new contract at the Bernabeu until he is guaranteed regular first-team football, the Spanish giants may offload him in January to stop him leaving for nothing next summer.
Real bought Beckham from Manchester United for £25million in 2003, but it seems certain he has no future under Capello as the former Roma boss on Tuesday insisted he had handled the player's situation correctly.
Beckham has started just four games under the new regime and played only 13 minutes of Sunday's 'el clasico' victory over Barcelona.
He has previously stated he is not interested in a return to England, but Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder admits he would be at the front of a queue of clubs who would welcome him with open arms.
He said: "I think a lot of clubs in the Premiership would like to have David Beckham.
"I think if he came back, bearing in mind he said he will never play in the Premiership again, any team lucky enough to secure his services - their supporters will enjoy watching him play."
Beckham has been strongly linked with a move to America's MLS - but a return to England's top tier would arguably give his chances of a return to the national fold under Steve McClaren a shot in the arm.Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said the Spanish Primera Liga football club has reached an agreement with a top Formula One team for next season to put its logo on a Formula One car at next year's Spanish grand prix.
Calderon was quoted in the Spanish media as saying the car will be painted white for the Barcelona race. He said, "the agreement is with a team with a good chance of winning and will be for one or two grand prix, but at Montmelo (Circuit de Catalunya) for sure."
"It's a very nice project and the design is already done, with the cars painted all white and the Real Madrid logo," Calderon was quoted as saying by Marca. The Spaniard did not name the team but said it was a winning one.
Spanish driver and 2006 World Champion Fernando Alonso is a confessed Real Madrid fan. He will move to the McLaren team next year.
The Spanish title race is well and truly on as Real Madrid produced its best performance this season to defeat Barcelona, while Valencia and FC Sevilla enjoyed wins.
At the Bernabeu, Real Madrid gained some revenge for last season's home thrashing by Barcelona, as it defeated the Catalans 2-0, with Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring on either side of half-time.
The result probably came as a shock to Real fans who watched their club produce one of its worst ever worst performances as it lost to Getafe last week, yet, many of them had not even taken their seats when Raul's powerful header from Sergio Ramos's cross beat Victor Valdes.
Real continued to mount waves of attacks, but just as Barca started asserting some control over the contest, Jose Maria Guti dummied his way through its defence before setting up van Nistelrooy who poked home.
The result sees Barcelona remain on top of the Primera Liga table, although it is on equal points with second-placed Valencia, while Real climbs to fourth and is just two points behind its Catalan rival.
Real Madrid produced their best display of the season to beat Barcelona 2-0 in the Spanish derby and gain a little revenge on their Catalan rivals.
Frank Rijkaard's side had humbled the Galacticos in the Bernebeu last season, thrashing them 3-0 on their own patch in a match which served to highlight the huge gulf in class between the two sides.
However, there would be no repeat this time around as Fabio Capello's side convincingly despatched their rivals with a goal in each half from Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, which moves them to within two points of Frank Rijkaard's team after seven rounds of the Spanish League.
Real Madrid scored a deserved victory which leaves them just two points behind the Catalans. Fabio's Capello's side is back in business and the title race is well and truly on in Spain.
Real Madrid completed one of their best weeks in a long time with a 2-0 victory over arch rivals Barcelona. Within three minutes they were already a goal up, Raúl heading a Sergio Ramos cross past Víctor Valdés, and the team captain came close to making it two with another shot against the bar. Messi caused some problems for the local defence, but Van Nistelrooy connected with Robinho's cross to make it two after the restart, and the Dutch striker hit the post again before the end. Madrid move back up to fourth, just two points now behind Frank Rijkaard's side.
| Real Madrid | Barcelona | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
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Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on the signature of young Fluminense defender Marcelo, who looks set to join next season.
With Roberto Carlos coming to the end of his career, the capital outfit need a replacement at left back and see the 18-year-old as a long-term successor to the Brazilian legend.
The left-back leapt to the attentions of the football world by scoring on his Brazil debut against Wales and he is being touted as the next Carlos by fans in Brazil.
Reports suggest that the talented stopper will pen a deal with Real in the next few days but will not join the club until the 2007-2008 season, although he would be able to move to Madrid during the January transfer window.
The player's agent Reinaldo Pitta expects to wrap up the deal in the next few days and told sports daily As: "Although anything can happen in soccer, I can't imagine the transfer won't be finalised tomorrow.
The Spanish Sporting Disclipline Commission (CSDD) ruled against Real Madrid's appeal for the suspension imposed on Ronaldo following his sending-off against Getafe last weekend, to be suspended, which definitely rules him out of the first 'classic' of the season that will take place in the Nou Camp tommorow night at 9pm in Canal +'s televised game.
The Brazilian striker was sent off after picking up two yellow cards after coming on a substitute during last Sunday's disappointing defeat to Getafe.
The first came in the 81st minute for "pushing over an opponent in a challenge for the ball," according the referee's report, which explains that the second, in the 89th minute was for "a blatant protest" after the referee yellow-carded Ruud van Nistelrooy for the same offence.
Since his return from knee surgery, the former Nou Camp old boy has played just 56 minutes of first-team football in two appearances as a substitute.
For their part, the champions are without Samuel Eto'o, who is in danger of missing the rest of the season after picking up a serious knee injury.
REAL MADRID Vs BARCELONA
Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona go into battle at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend on the back of mixed fortunes in European competition. As past encounters have shown, though, form can count for little when it comes to 'El Clásico'.
Expeditions in Europe
The two sides meet on Sunday evening after experiencing contrasting results on their midweek travels in the UEFA Champions League. A 4-1 triumph at FC Steaua Bucuresti was just the tonic Madrid needed to lift flagging spirits while, conversely, Barça were left somewhat crestfallen following Wednesday's defeat at Chelsea FC.
Different story
Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro, however, believes the game will be as closely contested as ever. "The Champions League is completely different to La Liga," he said. "Madrid-Barcelona matches are special. They are the kind of matches every player dreams about taking part in and past results don't come into it."
Helguera praise
Cannavaro added that he is delighted to be playing alongside Iván Helguera, who is back in favour with coach Fabio Capello. "Iván is a quality defender who never shirks away from his duties on the pitch. I have always had the greatest admiration for him and I am pleased he is back and playing so well." Helguera's restoration must also be a relief to Capello, who has had to rejig his defence while right-backs Cicinho and Míchel Salgado recover from injury.
Ronaldo ruled out
Barring any late setbacks, Capello is likely to stick with the side that beat Steaua. Ronaldo, though, will be ineligible to face his old club as he serves a one-match ban following his dismissal in the reverse against Getafe CF last weekend. José Antonio Reyes has finally shaken off a thigh problem but could start on the bench.
Rijkaard record
Frank Rijkaard is the only Barça coach to have won twice at the Bernabéu and will be seeking a famous treble to keep his team top of the table, with Madrid currently in fifth. The Dutchman is deprived of Juliano Belletti, who rests a shoulder injury, and long-term casualty Samuel Eto'o, although Carles Puyol should feature despite sustaining a back complaint against Chelsea.
Defiant Deco
Midfielder Deco is convinced the only way Barça can assuage their European disappointment is to win on Sunday. "That would put our experience in London firmly behind us," he said. "We will be going all out for victory. No one wants it as badly as we do. But it is not going to be easy as Madrid are going to be as determined as we are. The last thing they want is to lose at home."
A security guard killed in Iraq used to work for the Beckhams, it was reported today. Merrick McDonald, 42, was constantly at the couple's side after David Beckham moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid, according to The Sun. The Sun said Mr McDonald was killed in a car bomb in Baghdad last Wednesday. Security company Aegis Defence Services confirmed that an employee of that name had been killed. "I can confirm that he was one of our employees, and he was killed as a consequence of hostile action in Iraq last week," a spokeswoman said. She could not confirm the link to David and Victoria Beckham. The Sun said he was the couple's chief minder for two years and formed a close relationship with their elder sons Brooklyn, seven, and Romeo, four. He left for Iraq 18 months ago, it added. The Aegis spokeswoman said: "This news is of great sadness. Our sympathies and condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues." Sources close to the Beckhams declined to comment.
Zinedine Zidane says victory for Real Madrid on Sunday against Barcelona will kickstart their Liga season.
Zizou, who has just agreed a commentary deal with Canal+, said: "To tell the truth, I have not seen a single game of Madrid this campaign.
"I find out what is happening because some friends inform me who I left there. I know that the team has had bumps, but a win over Barcelona will recover a little of the confidence that was lost during the past few years."
On his personal plans, Zizou added: "I do not regret retiring. I've run a little, played some tennis. But football? I haven't done anything."
Arrigo Sacchi has revealed he pushed hard for Real Madrid to go for Francesco Totti.
Sacchi, who was general manager at Real for a short spell, said yesterday he urged the Spanish giants to move for Totti as a replacement for Zinedine Zidane.
"I'm convinced that we will again see Totti at his phenomenal best," said Sacchi, "The player who has always delighted us.
"What I must say, is that I have tried to sign him in February: when Real Madrid thought about a successor for Zidane I pushed very hard in order to sign Totti."
A dazzling display of wing play from Robinho inspired Real Madrid to an impressive 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday. Sergio Ramos, Raul, Robinho and Ruud van Nistelrooy each grabbed a goal for the Spanish giants, while Valentin Badea replied for the hosts.
The performance with in stark contrast to Real's abysmal 1-0 defeat to Getafe at the weekend, and another win against Steaua at the Bernabeu in a fortnight's time should all but guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
MATCH REPORT:
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1 – STEAUA BUCHAREST: Fernández; Saban (Thereau 57’), Goian, Ghihonea, Marin; Incolita, Paraschiv (Oprita 78’), Lovin (Petre 62’), Bostina; Dica and Badea .
4 – REAL MADRID Casillas; Ramos, Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Raúl, Emerson, Diarra, Robinho; Guti (Beckham 70’) and Van Nistelrooy (Ronaldo 78’).
GOALS:
0-1, 8': Ramos scores a header from a corner kick.
0-2, 33': Raúl scores by taking a clear by Fernández.
0-3, 55': Robinho scores after an individual play down the left wing.
1-3, 64': Badea scores close to the goal line.
1-4, 75': Van Nistelrooy scores by chipping the keeper.
REFEREE: Roberto Rosetti (Italian). Booked Dica (27’) and Goian (74’).
HIGHLIGHTS: Third Champions League Group Stage match.
| Steaua Bucarest | Real Madrid | |||||||||||
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Ronaldo was sent off in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Getafe but Madrid had hoped his first yellow card would be rescinded. However, the RFEF have stated the booking was just, denying the former Barcelona man a reprieve. Madrid still have the option of appealing against the RFEF's decision. 
Real Madrid striker Ronaldo is set to miss Sunday's clash with Barcelona after the Spanish Football Federation upheld his one-match suspension.
Real Madrid ace David Beckham insists he is ready to sit down with the club and discuss extending his stay in the Spanish capital.
The former Manchester United midfielder's deal at El Santiago Bernabeu is set to expire at the end of the season and Real are keen to tie him down for a further two years.
Real president Ramon Calderon insists he and coach Fabio Capello are determined to keep Beckham at the club even though he has struggled to hold down a regular place in the side this season.
The former England captain has been linked with a move to America, but Beckham is adamant he is happy to stay with Real although he concedes it takes time to sort everything out.
"To be honest, there's been so much going on at the club," Beckham told Revista De La Liga on Sky Sports.
"Everyone knows about the changes that have happened over the last couple of months, and changes that have been going on for a while since I've been here.
"There's been a new president that has come in, new board, new directors, new manager, new coaching staff, so there's a lot that has happened in that time.
"I'm very happy that the president, that the manager, that other people and the directors want me to stay because I love playing for Real Madrid, who wouldn't?
"You're playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I love the fans because they have been incredible to me since I actually stepped in the country and I love that.
"That's one of the things I love is playing in front of fans that appreciate your hard work and appreciate other things that you do.
"I'm happy in Madrid. My kids are happy, my wife is happy, so everything's good.
"But if anyone knows about contracts, it takes a while to sort out. My friend and manager has sat down with the board and has sat down with the president.
"They've both expressed their desires in me staying and me wanting to stay, but these things take time and we can't rush it."
Beckham admitted he was disappointed not to be a regular in the Real starting line-up, but the midfielder is ready to fight for his place in the team.
"You just get on with it - there's no other way," added Beckham.
"You either just get on with it or you sulk and you don't work as hard in training, and that doesn't get you anywhere.
"My mentality is to work hard and to fight for my place. If I have to miss four or five games, which I have and I've only come on in the second half, at the moment you have to accept that.
"I can't say I'm happy because I love playing football, that's my job and that's what I love doing.
"But, at the end of the day, sometimes you have to fight for things you want in life.
"I've had to do that a few times recently and I'm a fighter, so I'll carry on fighting for things."
Beckham also moved to reject talk that he has a problem with Capello saying he has the full backing of the Italian tactician.
"There's been times when he's left me on my own to think about things, but also there is the confidence he gives as a player and a person, and he's given me that in training.
"He's told the directors that he wants me to stay, and that's what you need as a player sometimes - you need that little bit of a push.
"It's nice to have that, even though I haven't played in games. I feel that I've actually got the confidence of the manager."
Twenty players have been called up by Fabio Capello for Tuesday's 8:45 pm CET Champions League clash against Steaua Bucarest. The only three players who will not travel are injured Míchel Salgado, Reyes and Cicinho. Sergio Ramos returns to the team after carrying out his one game suspension against Getafe.
TEAMSHEET:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López, Adán.
Defenders: Roberto Carlos, Cannavaro, Raúl Bravo, Pavón, Helguera, Mejía, Sergio Ramos.
Midfielders: Diarra, Emerson, Beckham, Javi García, Guti, Robinho, Raúl.
Forwards: Cassano, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy.
Not called up: Reyes, Cicino and Míchel Salgado all due to injury.
MY TEAM:
------------
1. Casillas
2. Mejia
3. Cannavaro
4. Sergio Ramos
5. Roberto Carlos
6. Diarra
7. Emerson
8. Beckham
9. Guti
10. Van Nistelrooy
11. Ronaldo.
Real Madrid is on the verge of signing Brazilian star Marcelo, an 18-year-old talented left back considered to be the next Roberto Carlos. Real Madrid officer Franco Baldini is in Brazil closing the deal in 6.5 million euros.
Marcelo, who has featured in his side Fluminense 34 times this season scoring 6 goals and has been always called up by Brazilian manager Dunga since he took over, will join the White House in January, filling in the remaining place for foreigners in the team.
After closing the operation, Franco Baldini will be traveling to Buenos Aires, where he will try to do the same with Fernando Gago.
Fluminense officials are denying that the deal has already been done.
Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has no idea why he was sent-off in yesterday's defeat at Getafe.
The Brazilian star was shown the red card for dissent and he will now miss next weekend's big clash with Barcelona.
Ronaldo could not explain why he was given his marching orders.
"I don't understand why I was given a second yellow card," said Ronaldo.
"I saw that (Ruud) van Nistelrooy was shouting because the referee had blown for a foul for no reason and I asked him why he had booked him.
"The referee moved his head and I said he was a 'phenomenon' and he then gave me the yellow card."
Comments:
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I think it was a bad decission by the referre as Ronaldo seems inocent in the TV. But I don't know what is the cause to give him 2nd yellow card while he didn't do anything. Ruud Van Nistolrooy also shown yellow card at the same time while he also did nothing. But red card of Ronaldo was not correct and referre should get blame on this.
| Getafe | Real Madrid | |||||||||||||
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| Real Madrid Castilla | Ciudad de Murcia | |||||||
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Raul clashed with Mahamadou Diarra at Real Madrid training yesterday.
The Mali international clattered into Antonio Cassano during a bounce game and later also battered Raul, which sparked a furious reaction from the club captain.
Raul turned on Diarra, but the big African shrugged him off. It took coach Fabio Capello and Emerson to calm the tense stand-off.
However, at the end of the session, Diarra and Raul were spotted laughing and joking.
Real Madrid Jose Reyes insists there's no personal rivalry between him and David Beckham.
Asked whether a new contract for Beckham could impact on his progress at Real, Reyes said: "I do not believe that we have anything to do with one another. He is doing very well in training."
Reyes also remarked: "Barcelona is on the horizon, but we'd be crazy to be focusing on that game now with Getafe still to be played.
"But I believe our game against Barcelona will be much more even than in previous years. I hope it is a good one for me."
The agent of Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago would prefer to see the youngster play for Real Madrid than Barcelona.
Both Spanish giants have been linked with the youngster, whose agent Marcelo Lombilla said: "People saying you can play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid is just like saying you can go to Disneyland.
"But Madrid is a great club and the `White House' is the great dream of any player."
Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado has suffered a setback in his bid to return to action after a knee injury when he strained a calf muscle in training on Tuesday.
England's 0-0 draw at home against modest Macedonia showed that coach Steve McClaren was too hasty in dumping the former captain whose expertly hit free kick took England to the World Cup quarter-finals -- only to be told he was no longer in the new coach's plans.
Beckham's World Cup goal against Ecuador turned out to be his last in 94 games. He sat in tears after limping out of the quarter-finals against Portugal and watched his teammates lose in a penalty shootout.
Taking over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup, McClaren phoned Beckham and told him he had been dropped.
While England was struggling Saturday against Macedonia, a Euro 2008 qualifying opponent it should have beaten easily, Beckham was nowhere near Old Trafford, the stadium where he learned his trade with Manchester United.
He wasn't playing for Real Madrid either. There were no Spanish league games over the weekend because that country's national team was in Sweden for another Euro 2008 qualifying match.
It wasn't as if Beckham was pursuing the other lucrative side of his millionaire lifestyle, appearing at photo shoots for sunglasses, watches, razors or soft drinks. Or at his wife's side at a Paris fashion show.
Beckham was fit and available, and should have been wearing the white shirt of England.
A month ago, McClaren's bold decision to drop the high-profile star and reshape the England team along different lines appeared on the surface to be the right one. The results said so.
After beating European champion Greece 4-0 in a friendly, McClaren's new-look team outplayed Andorra 5-0. A 1-0 victory at Macedonia put England on top of its Euro 2008 group, giving McClaren three shutouts in his first three games.
So far so good.
But there were signs in that shaky victory at Macedonia that things were far from perfect.
England's players couldn't keep possession of the ball and, when they didn't have it, couldn't get it back. Only goal-line clearances and a scrambling defence secured that victory.
When Macedonia played at Old Trafford, England didn't create enough chances for strikers Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch. What they would have given for one of Beckham's long, accurate passes to open up the Macedonian defence.
Even the Macedonians said before the game they were relieved that Beckham wasn't playing. It meant they could afford to give away free kicks 25 yards or so from goal because Beckham wasn't around to bend them into the back of the net.
Now, after dropping two points at home, England faces a tough visit to Croatia on Wednesday to stay atop its qualifying group.
With Steven Gerrard suspended and Aaron Lennon injured, it should be the ideal situation for Beckham to be recalled on the right side of midfield, his regular position.
Although McClaren said he had not "closed the door" on Beckham, he made it clear that the 31-year-old midfielder was not part of his plans. He believes that changing his mind would undermine his credibility to make important decisions.
McClaren has never said it, but the word from inside the England camp was that Beckham was too old and too slow and too much of a showbiz personality. He was considered indispensable by Eriksson and his camera-hogging marketing appeal made him look bigger than the team.
But Beckham never gave less than complete commitment whenever he pulled on the England shirt and McClaren should swallow his pride and bring him back.
The England coach has been preaching the use of wide players who take on defenders, run down the wing and provide crosses for his strikers. Everyone in soccer knows that's not Beckham's style. Then again, it's not Gerrard's either.
With Joe Cole sidelined with an injury, McClaren persists in playing Stewart Downing, who played for him at Middlesbrough, as a left winger. But Downing couldn't get past the defenders of Macedonia -- not exactly a team with the quality of Brazil, Argentina, Italy or France -- and has shown he is not the answer.
Frank Lampard has been struggling for months to recapture the form he showed last season both for Chelsea and England, and there are even calls for him to be dropped. Apart from missing three penalties in a row, the central midfielder has been wayward with his passes as well as his shooting.
McClaren has said he'll consider changing his formation to add an extra midfielder. So why not let that be Beckham?
All these developments -- Lennon's injury, Gerrard's suspension, the poor form of Lampard and Downing, fielding five in midfield -- give McClaren the option of getting back on the phone to Beckham.
And recall him without losing face.
Abel Buades (pen)
Ariza Makukula 
Ronaldo 
