The England coach, Steve McClaren flew all the way to the Los Angeles to meet David Beckham and watch him train before a charity match. Apparently he wanted to check on his fitness!

An FA spokesman stated Steve McClaren did not even attend the game, preferring instead to meet Beckham and watch him train, as well as discuss the 32-year-old’s health with his fitness coach.

David Beckham scored twice in LA Galaxy’s 12-4 win over a Hollywood XI made up of celebrities. The game was played to raise money for victims of the California forest fires.

The Brentford manager and former England captain, Terry Butcher told BBC Radio 5 Live: “For the England manager to be watching that is farcical.

“What can Beckham show the England manager in that sort of game?”

“Steve checks on the availability and fitness of all his players - it was a routine trip,” an FA spokesman told BBC Sport.

In my opionion David Beckham is still a great passer of the ball nad at 32 years he is not over the hill. Furthermore, no one can bend it like Beckham. However, its not just a question of fitness and the quality of the MLS that needs to be considered. How about considering the fitness and week in / week out form of David Bentley and Shaun Wright-Phillips?

These are two players that have shown consistency for their club sides this season and have proved they can play for England. Oh! and then there’s the small question of whether to play a certain Steven Gerrard on the right!