Ferguson Backs Beckham's Ton

Sir Alex Ferguson's relationship with David Beckham may have suffered irretrievable damage when they severed their ties in 2003 but the Manchester United manager had kind words for his former player yesterday as he backed him to join the elite band of England footballers to win 100 international caps.

Beckham is hoping to put his name alongside Peter Shilton, Sir Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright when Fabio Capello takes charge of his first match against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6. Capello has yet to indicate whether Beckham will be included but Ferguson thinks it is almost certain the LA Galaxy midfielder will be involved.

"I don't think there is any doubt about that," he said. "I'm convinced he will get his 100th cap. To deny him another cap when he is already on 99 would not be right and I think Capello has made up his mind about that." Beckham will get a clearer idea next week when Capello names his squad but one player who will not be involved is Paul Scholes, who has reiterated that he has no desire to resume his international career.

England's loss will be United's gain, and the Old Trafford manager is backing Scholes to carry on playing until 2011 at the earliest. "I think we will get three more years out of him because he looks after himself so well," said Ferguson.

"At 33 I regard him just as highly as I did when he was 23. Players like him and Ryan Giggs give themselves extra years. Look at Giggs, he came on [at half-time] at Reading and the stats show he made 45 sprints in the second half. That's incredible for a player of 34 but what I've come to realize with these two players is that I can no longer see an end to their careers.

"I'll be away from the club before they will. I think, bearing in mind their longevity, they must be the best two players I've ever had."