"You'll never win anything with kids," scoffed the BBC's Alan Hansen, before Beckham proceeded to prove him wrong as United swept to the double.

Back at Villa Park, the young midfielder scored the goal which took United to Wembley in the FA Cup.

But it was another strike on the opening day of the following season which began the rise of David Beckham, Superstar.

United were 2-0 up in the closing stages at Selhurst Park when the midfielder received the ball just inside his own half.

He did not play safe, and struck the ball straight over Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan for a memorable 50-yard strike.

A month later England coach Glenn Hoddle handed him a first international cap, and Beckham did not look back as helped his country to the finals in France.

At the same time a media obsessed with both Manchester United and the Spice Girls received the best news of all.

Beckham became engaged to Victoria Adams, and Britain's glamour couple of the 1990s had been formed.

And it soon became clear, that, in the eyes of the media at least, both were now public property.

After England crashed out of the World Cup Beckham was warned by fans of other clubs back home that he was public enemy number one.

He received police protection on his return to training with United in July, and a hostile welcome home in August's Charity Shield at Wembley.

There were doubts over whether he would tough it out, although four days before the season started for real he signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

Despite a chorus of boos around the country,