I genuinely saw someone suggest last night that David Beckham finished 2nd in the Ballon d'Or in 1998/99 for his 'fame'.

I think it needs putting to bed. He was probably the best player in the world that season. Thread.

Important to remember that before the season started, England fans were doing things like *this* because Beckham was sent off in the World Cup against Argentina (despite scoring in the final group game to help get them to the RO16 in the first place).

Opening day: First league game of the season, United found themselves 2-0 down against Leicester at OT. 10 minutes to go, Beckham assisted Sheringham to pull one back and in the last seconds scored a free-kick from 30+ yards to earn a point. Look at the angle/distance!

Free-Kicks: Beckham scored FIVE times directly from Free-Kicks in 98/99. He still holds the PL record for most FK's scored too (15).

Leicester (H) - Last min equaliser
Barcelona (H) - CL Group
Villa (H) - Winner in the title run-in
Brondby (H) - CL Group
Everton (H) - PL

Clutch Moments: I can't remember another player as vital as Beckham in the BIG moments in the Treble season.

Title winning game: United 1-0 down against Spurs at OT, Beckham equalised to get us back on course for the win and the title. Great goal too.

FA Cup Semi-Final Replay: Often forgotten because of Giggs' wonder goal in ET but Beckham put us 1-0 up in that semi-final with a goal that not many other players score. Ridiculous strike.

CL Quarter-Final (1st Leg): We won 2-0 against Inter (and Simeone who got Beckham sent off in the World Cup). 2 carbon copy goals - 2 perfect crosses from Beckham to Yorke. Beckham's delivery that game deserved more than 2 goals too, from memory Cole missed a great chance.

Champions League final: Solskajer & Sheringham get the plaudits but it was 2 Beckham corners that led to both goals. The delivery of the second corner was immaculate - imagine having the composure to deliver a ball like that in stoppage time in the final game of the season.

CL Semi-Final (2nd leg): 2-0 down against Juventus on the night looking all but out. Beckham's corner to Keane got us back in the game, another perfect delivery at a crucial time. Beckham played a part in the build up to Yorke's equaliser too with Cole.

Assists: Beckham ended the season with 18 assists - which doesn't tell the full story of how productive he was from the right.

His crossing created so many more chances than the 18 assists he was credited with and played a massive part in the build-up to others.

It wasn't out of the ordinary that season for his crossing to create chances without directluy being given the assist. CL final is a great example and it's another reason why stats can't be relied upon for everything.

Beckham had better seasons for United numbers-wise - a few players did that season when looking at the stats but absolutely nobody stepped up as much as he did in the club's greatest ever season when it really, really mattered.

The sad thing is he's underrated because of his "celebrity status" and maybe the most underappreciated football in the PL era.

Can you believe that the PFA gave David Ginola the POTY?

Or Rivaldo the Ballon d'Or, after Beckham's United knocked them out in the CL group stage?

Time to put some respect on David Beckham's name.

He was a genuine world class footballer and arguably United's best player in the season we won the lot. Arguably the best in the world that season.

One of the greatest United players of all-time.