David Beckham admits being axed from the England squad by former coach Steve McClaren convinced him to accept an offer from LA Galaxy. "I decided it was time to try something different," he said yesterday. "To start a new life there. I wasn't in the England team and, while people have asked me whether I regret going to the US, it felt right at the time.

"I did get a call from AC Milan but it came too late. The deal to go to America had been signed and that was that. I was going."