Veron is Juan to watch
June 1, 2002
David Beckham warned that his Manchester United team-mate Juan Sebastian Veron will be aiming to make his English critics pay by "destroying" Sven-Goran Eriksson's side next week.
Sporting Life
Beckham has sprung to the defence of the Argentina international, who struggled to make his expected impact this season following his British record transfer fee of £28.1million.
The England captain insisted that there is no chance that Veron will leave Old Trafford this summer as many have predicted.
And he warned that the national side will have to be on their guard in next Friday's showdown with Argentina in Sapporo.
Beckham declared: "A player of his ability could destroy any team, let alone us when we come up against him, although we've got the players to combat that.
"All the criticism that 'Seba' has got this season has been so unfair. I feel that and many people at United feel that.
"To say it was a mistake to buy a player like him is ridiculous - he's one of the best midfielders in the world."
Beckham accepts that Veron is likely to be bursting to prove a point in the light of his experiences at Old Trafford.
"We have to overcome that. Of course, you have to watch out for each team's best players and he's definitely one of their best players. None of our players will be taking it easy on him," he insisted.
Veron has suffered at United from being pushed out of the preferred central holding position that he has starred in for Argentina and Lazio, with Sir Alex Ferguson having been unwilling to compromise Roy Keane's role.
"The style of football in England is different than what he was used to," added Beckham.
"Seba does make a lot more forward runs with Argentina, as he did with Lazio.There were probably times last year that he wasn't in his usual position. Maybe he was or wasn't happy.
"The important thing is that he's upbeat about the situation. People wonder whether he will leave but I've got no doubts that he'll stay at United."
Now back where he feels most comfortable as the fulcrum of the Argentina side, Veron has the stage to perform. And while his impact was in stark contrast to that of fellow signing Ruud van Nistelrooy,, the likes of Robert Pries and Their Henry have been past examples of overseas players who took six months to settle in the Premiership.
"It's probably easier for him as he doesn't understand much English but of course he's down," revealed Beckham.
The England captain, who cited Veron's main attributes as his "passing, shooting, running ability and great engine" nevertheless believes that Ferguson will stick by his much-criticised midfielder.
"He's definitely been of great importance not just in Seba's career at United but for the other foreign players and of course all the youngsters," added Beckham.
"You need a manager who will stick up for you whatever goes on, and he's like that. He will stand by you through thick and thin."