This debate is now closed.

Beckham currently roams the right-hand side of midfield for United, but Eriksson wants to play him in the middle, and would like Sir Alex Ferguson to do the same.

Beckham himself has previously expressed a desire to become more involved in games by playing in a central role.

But with Roy Keane, Juan Sebastian Veron, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt vying for the centre midfield spot at Old Trafford, both Beckham and Eriksson may be disappointed.

Should Ferguson grant Eriksson his wish? And is Beckham more effective down the right or in the middle?

I have no doubt Beckham would do a good job in the middle - but there are two factors against it, both for United and England. There are not many players better than Beckham on the right when considering his crossing ability and secondly there are players that are more suited to the middle (especially for United) so it would be foolhardy to put him in the middle when there is no obvious replacement on the right.
Carl Pelling, England

Please move him into the middle. Vieira will have him for breakfast.
Simon, UK

David Beckham's best position is in front of the camera, being photographed for his next product endorsement or his latest hairstyle.
Nigel, UK

He's got to have two feet for the central role and be a good tackler and be able to take players on. Also in the central role you've got to turn around and tackle back when you lose the ball. Do any of these attributes remind you of David Beckham? Case closed!
Fergal, Ireland

Beckham should play a new postion: LEFT BACK in the dressing room. He is the most overrated player in the world! Surely even Sven can see that!
Yinka, Africa

Beckham's position is wide right for two reasons. He can deliver good balls into the box and moving him more central will force him to use a part of his anatomy which doesn't exist: his left foot. Beckham is the most one-footed player on the international stage.

Additionally, the only times he should pop up on the left is to take a corner or free-kick. He should not be given corners or free-kicks on the left. During the qualifying game against Albania, it took eight attempts before he eventually scored. Why? Because seven of those were right of centre and therefore should have been taken by a left footer.

It's highly improbable that an international class keeper will be beaten at his near post from a right footer on the right hand side. Beckham can only curl it with his right foot, unlike Solano at Newcastle who scores with both feet.

Beckham's moment of qualification glory came because the ball was left of centre - ideal for a right footed player. Sven should ensure that he finds some true left-footers for wide and inside left midfield. Sven doesn't have a clue in my opinion. By the way, I hope Lazio don't come calling for the millions that he blew!
Peter, UK

Having seen Beckham play since he was a junior in Waltham Forest I have always thought his best position was wide on the right. However, it really does not matter where Sven-Goran Eriksson feels he should play.

The decision is that of Sir Alex Ferguson and to be honest, I am somewhat dumbfounded that Eriksson has the audacity to tell Fergie what to do. Which one of them has won all those trophies?
mike Wood, Thailand

I think a central three of Scholes, Gerrard and Beckham is a must for any future England side. I would like to see us play 3-5-2 as we have perfect wing-back material in Cole and Dyer to supplement that midfield.
Garry O'Neill, UK

His best position by far is the pose where he stands against a fireplace, looking at his watch. It's classic catalogue modelling.
Justin, UK

If Beckham were to play in the middle, what would happen to Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes? They are clearly our best central midfield partnership - why ruin it?

The ideal situation is to have Beckham and Gerrard regularly covering each other's position during a game - their range of passing and crossing abilities are very similar, although Gerrard is not shy of 'getting stuck in' in the central position.
Nick, England

It would appear that the general view of Beckham is based on his attributes on the field, rather than what we're told by the Man Utd loving media. The reason that Beckham doesn't play in the middle is because he isn't good enough. Why he plays on the right however, remains a mystery.
Nick, England

The central flaw in Beckham's game is his inability to play the right pass at the right time. He gives possession away far too regularly for a player of his undoubted ability due to his refusal to play the percentage pass when it's required. A pretty serious flaw for a central midfielder, I'd say.
Ronan Mac Lochlainn, Dublin, Ireland

David Beckham is one of the best crossers of a football that the world has ever seen. It therefore obviously makes sense to play him in the middle of the park - not!
Kev, Scotland

David Beckham is an over-hyped football star, there is no question about it. Nonetheless, when it comes to delivering crosses from the right side of the pitch, very few players can match him. There is no room for him in the middle of the park.
Alex, Uganda

If you analyse David Beckham the footballer you'll soon realise that he has only one real strength - the ability to cross the ball and pass with his right foot.

He hasn't got pace, cannot take players on or take players out of the game, cannot really tackle and oh, you can easily mark him out of the game, like Roberto Carlos did in a Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford a few years ago.

You need to have more than one skill to be influential and effective in any of the central midfield positions.
Akin, UK

I would say David's best position is generally reclining, preferably with a nice pair of diamond-studded designer shades, a Rolex and a silk shirt. Perhaps some snakeskin loafers to complete the ensemble. Alternatively, any position which allows him to show his best side and still get Victoria in the shot is also a winner.

I hope this helps Sven decide where David's best position is when it comes to the marketing photo-shoot for the new England away strip.
Carl Schaefer, England

It's the age-old club versus country argument. But I defy any loyal supporter of a club side in England to argue that they would be prepared to use their club as, essentially, a training ground for the national side.

With Beckham staying out on the right we've more chance of seeing normal service resumed at Old Trafford.
M Havas, Harrogate

On the right, Beckham is one of the outstanding footballers in the world. In central midfield, he would be far less of an influence. It's not as if he restricts himself to the right flank anyway - as our whole World Cup qualifying campaign demonstrated.
Roy Pinney, England

At the moment he should be on the bench, watching Veron.
Paul, UK

What is Beckham best at? Crossing the ball, so why would you move him into the centre of midfield. England have the best passer of the ball in the centre of midfield with Gerrard, and even Butt and Scholes are good passers of the ball. It's the same at Man United also, with their depth in the centre of midfield.

So it seems inappropriate to put the best crosser of the ball into the middle. Also, Beckham is not good enough at commanding the game from the middle as he doesn't have the strength on the ball as central midfielders do, and he can't take on players unless he uses pace, which is most useful on the wing.
James Wilson, N. Ireland

Although there is no doubt that Beckham is a fantastic footballer, his best attributes do not include running with the ball and shooting, but getting quality balls into the box and dead ball situations. So wide right is his best position in my opinion.
Anthony, England

David Beckham has no pace, little in the way of trickery, and lacks the ability to go past players in the way that Giggs, Figo, and other top wide players in the world regularly do.

He does, however, possess an extremely high work-rate, an excellent shot and a superb range of passing, which is somewhat limited when he plays in a wide position. Without a doubt, his talents will flourish most in the middle of the park.
Chris White, England

Why risk it? If Becks is so good on the right, why give up his influential position for what could be a big mistake? Besides, there's Keane, Butt, Scholes and Veron to think about - all are experienced central players and have proven themselves worthy. United and England would be better off without this experiment.
George, UK

Beckham's best position could well be in the middle. His range of passing is second to none and his engine is superb. Dyer could replace him on the right for England (or Anderton, Bowyer or Macca) and Man Utd could move Giggs to the right or buy someone else.

Also, I don't agree with all of these comments regarding hype. Every season, Becks comes at the top or very near Opta charts and ground covered stats. He is one of the only consistently world-class English players playing today.
Richard Doone, UK

He's not suited to a central role in a 4-4-2 system. The best position he's played for England was the one Hoddle played him in - right side of a central three with an overlapping wing-back. If Ferguson thought he had the game for a central role, he'd have bought a right winger instead of buying Veron, and moved Beckham inside.

He's still England's classiest player, regardless of whatever inanities Happy Red and Michael Houllier (below) may care to offer.
Gordon, UK

There's no debate to be had here. Man Utd pay his wages and Sir Alex has decided his best position is on the right, so what England would like is irrelevant.

Apart from which who is he going to replace? Keane, probably one of the best midfield players in the world, Veron who Sir Alex is trying to give a fair chance to in the midfield, Butt who was an inspiration in the World Cup or Scholes who is needed for his goals from midfield?

As far as United are concerned his best position is on the right and until a player who can cross the ball as well as him becomes available that is where he will stay.
Sean Kelly, Rossendale, England

Is the football loving public of this country really this naive? "Play him on the wing" is all I keep reading. "He's the best crosser in the world." If his passing is so magnificent would it not make more sense to play him in the middle where he can spray passes in both directions?

Stuck out on the wing, he only has one option in the attacking sense - punt it in the box and hope someone gets in on it.
Johnno, UK

When did Eriksson become boss of Man Utd? He's the manager of England - if Ferguson told him what to do he would take no notice, so why should Fergie? I would sell Beckham for everything I could get for him. He's overrated, and I'm a Manchester United fan. Give me Roy Keane or Ryan Giggs any day.
Claire, Blackpool

Ryan Giggs can take opposing players on and go past them, but this is certainly not Beckham's strength. Also, if opposing players close Beckham down quickly enough, they neutralise his crossing ability.

With this in mind, Beckham could become really ineffective out on the right, and maybe it would be best if he went into the middle of the park.
Arnold, UK

Since he can only pass with his right foot and runs around like a headless chicken when in the middle, I think it would be best if he stayed wide right.
Rob, UK

Am I really the only person in the UK who hasn't succumbed to the massive hype surrounding Beckham? Granted, he has got a great right foot - for crossing, passing and shooting - and the hype can be inspirational to his team.

However, there are more requirements than these to being a great footballer. His best position is on the cover of a teenage girls' fashion magazine!
David Payne, Manchester

I don't think England should play him at all; he is over-hyped and there are plenty of better players. This 'have your say' section about him is just another example of how over-hyped he is.
Maff, Leeds, UK

David Beckham will never fulfil his full potential and collect the world player of the year award whilst he is stuck out on the right, because too many games pass in which he is a bystander. If he was allowed to roam the pitch like he was against Greece for England, his influence would increase 200%.
Stuart Harkness, England

I recall seeing some statistics recently that clearly showed Man Utd scored more goals and won more games when he didn't play, so his best position would be somewhere in the main stand.
Gordon, UK

Beckham is a classic case of style over substance. His personal over-profiling of himself and his lifestyle, aided and abetted by a ravenous media have totally overstated his talents.

Beckham frequently drifts in and out of games, yet no one seems to pick up on this. He is truly a world class crosser of the ball, which he can also adapt for excellent free-kicks, but what else as he got?
Mike Buckley, Killiney, Ireland

I'm a Leeds fan. I don't much care for Man Utd but I appreciate quality when I see it and Beckham is class. I agree with Jon Gwynne (below) - Man Utd have nobody else to play on the right so they put Beckham there where his crossing is awesome.

England, however, should play Beckham in the middle (Gerrard will provide the tackling) and Dyer on the right.
Richard Appleyard, UK

It's impossible to say whether he will be better employed as a central midfield player as he hardly plays there. I can't see Sir Alex Ferguson moving him - United have more than enough talent in the centre and who would he put on the right?

There is nobody at United who can play there as well as Beckham. Do England need him there? With Gerrard, Scholes, Butt, Hargreaves, etc available I'm not sure that they do.
Bill, England

I think Becks should always play on the right because he is the best crosser of the ball in the game. To play him in a more central role would be a waste of his ability. Also, the Beckham we know and love has played on the right for most of his career - 'if it aint broke, don't fix it.'
Nathan Emsden, England

David Beckham is the best in the world at his position, so why should he move? He has pace, defensive skills and can place a ball where ever he wants to.
Matt Boyce, England

I think Becks would work well in the centre, but at times his 50-50 challenges are a bit gutless, and you can't take that chance in the middle of all the action. It all depends who could fill the void on the right at United.
Richard Fox, England

Beckham would be more effective in a central position, but there is nobody at United who could challenge Beckham for a place on the right wing. Veron is wasted on the wing, and Butt, Keane and Scholes, all have too much to offer in the centre.

A central role would give Beckham the chance to run at goal and shoot, and I think this is when he is at his best. I'm sure if United had a ready made replacement for the right wing he would be free to challenge for a midfield starting position. It is the lack of right wing options and not the abundance of midfield talent that dictates where Beckham plays.
Jon Gwynne, England

Beckham isn't a great tackler, doesn't compete, is knocked off the ball too easily and can't head. He is out of position too often and his work rate doesn't match that of the competition. His best position is out wide - there's not much chance of him displacing all the talent Man Utd have in the centre.
Michael Houllier, England

Based on the way that Beckham has been playing for the last few months - both before and after the injury - I think the best place for him is on the bench. The celebrity around Beckham appears to shield him from criticism.

Personally I don't care about his haircut, his wife's new single or his views on Keane - I just want him to play football. I think Eriksson wants him to play central because he's not doing the business on the wing and Eriksson can't afford to drop him!
Greg Smith, Ireland

Whoever plays in central midfield for any club has to be fairly combative, and frankly, in a 50-50 situation, I don't think too many people would put their money on Beckham.
John Hamill, Australia

Beckham's best and only position should be the right wing where he can cross the ball (his only ability) all day long.

We all know he wants to take all the penalties, free kicks, play the central midfield role and take as much of the credit as possible for running around like a headless chicken, achieving nothing and hacking at the opposition in a temper tantrum - all the qualities of a great captain!
Happy Red, England