Mourinho urges caution with Beckham

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

An ankle injury looking set to deny Beckham his intended Galaxy debut and, although Mourinho insists his players would not be out to make Beckham's injury any worse by going after him, he believes Galaxy coach Frank Yallop must think carefully before choosing to play him or not.

The Portuguese coach said: "When I was a child I heard dozens of stories of Eusebio, who was injured but had to play a certain game because of the cachet of the match. Pele, too, was always involved in tense situations. But there is a limit - a pain limit and a consequence limit."

He added: "If the consequence is Beckham is one day with a swollen ankle, that is fine. But if the consequence is one or two weeks out, then no. Still, I think the game needs him - if not during, then he should do something special before.

"If he is on for 10 minutes and we are winning the trophy (the match concludes the 'World Series of Football'), then we will let him play for free and will make a free-kick for him to score."

A spokesman for the Galaxy has confirmed that Yallop will leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to give Beckham his debut for the MLS club.

One of his Galaxy team-mates - former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier - has urged the rest of the squad to step up their efforts following a 3-0 defeat to Mexican side Tigres in their previous match.

The Portuguese told The Mirror: "Having Beckham is a good pressure. But you still have to have a foundation, other players who can make a difference. Beckham is not Michael Jordan.

"He's not going to make 40 points in a game or save the whole team. When Beckham comes here the effort must be correct and the set-up must be correct. The players must show this on the field."