Row with Ferguson sees United dump Beckham

Manchester United have dumped David Beckham from their squad on the eve of a key game at Leeds United tomorrow after a row on a training pitch between the England midfielder and manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Beckham was ordered from the pitch by his manager and left The Cliff training ground twenty minutes later according to reports tonight in 'The News of the World' newspaper.

Ferguson has long been concerned about the pop star lifestyle of the 24 year old who has been linked with a summer move to Premiership rivals Arsenal in the summer as his wife - pop star Spice Girl Victoria - wants to make a home for the couple in London.

United turned down a £20 million offer from FC Barcelona for Beckham last month but a serious row was witnessed at The Cliff by reporters and several fans which saw Beckham sent home. The club have yet to comment on the verbal fight between Ferguson and his star but Beckham is now certain to miss the clash at Elland Road tomorrow as champions United take on their closest Premiership rivals in a real grudge match coming less than a week after four English clubs were charged with misconduct - including Leeds - following violent incidents involving their players.

United have been warned about their conduct on the pitch after ugly abuse of match officials has dominated their last two league matches.

Ferguson clashed with Beckham in October when the midfielder was late for a club flight to a Champions League tie in Austria.

Beckham had attended a fashion event in the West End of London and Ferguson fined the player and warned him about his future conduct as the star continues his glamorous life style in the capital with his famous wife.

There is also tension between the two men about Beckham's role in the United side. The midfielder has long wanted to assume a central role for the treble winners but Ferguson has not trusted the right sided midfielder to establish himself in that position.

Beckham has been named in the England squad to face Argentina in a friendly at Wembley on Wednesday night against Argentina. He is due at the Bisham Abbey training centre on Monday morning after the game tomorrow but United's decision to dump him from training today now throws into doubt his participation in the game against the South Americans, especially if United and Ferguson decide to follow up today's row with disciplinary action and discussions on the player's future conduct.