Royal Red Devils! David Beckham’s Knighthood Seals Historic First For Manchester United

Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 19:16 IST

David Beckham is knighted at Buckingham Palace, joining four other Manchester United legends as knights in English football history.

Sir David Beckham after receiving his knighthood (X)

Manchester United have once again etched their name into English football history — this time, not on the pitch but at Buckingham Palace.

Sir David Beckham has been formally knighted for his services to football and British society, joining an elite group of Red Devils to receive the United Kingdom’s highest civilian honour.

With Beckham’s knighthood, Manchester United now hold the record for the most knighted figures (five) in English football history, surpassing all other clubs.

The Treble-winning icon becomes the fifth Red Devil to be knighted, following in the footsteps of four legendary names who helped shape United — Sir Matt Busby, Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Matt Busby was knighted in 1969, a year after leading United to become the first English club to win the European Cup, triumphing 4-1 over Benfica at Wembley. That crowning moment came just a decade after the Munich Air Disaster, a tragedy that claimed 23 lives, including eight players. Busby’s rebuilding of the team from the ashes remains a cornerstone of the club’s enduring spirit.

Sir Walter Winterbottom, who managed England’s national side after his stint as a United player in the 1930s, was honoured in 1978.

Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the most beloved figures in football history, was knighted in 1994 for his remarkable achievements with both United and England, including lifting the European Cup and the World Cup.

And of course, Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in United’s history, received his knighthood in 1999 after guiding the Red Devils to the historic Treble — the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League — in one unforgettable season.

Now, Sir David Beckham joins that illustrious list. A global icon and homegrown hero, Beckham lifted six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League with United before taking his career across Europe and the US.

The knighthood recognises not only Beckham’s brilliance on the field but also his contributions beyond it — through charitable work with UNICEF and his influence as a global ambassador for English football.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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