Alex Ferguson has given his first insight into why David Beckham fell out of his plans at Manchester United, implying that he blames the midfielder's pop-star wife, Victoria, for turning him into a"different person".

In an interview in the Sports Illustrated magazine, published in New York yesterday, Ferguson speaks of Beckham as a dedicated professional, almost a workaholic, during his formative years at Old Trafford.

But the United manager then speaks for the first time about his belief that Beckham became distracted after meeting his future wife and that his showbiz lifestyle might have changed his attitude towards football.

"He was blessed with great stamina, the best of all the players I've had here," said Ferguson. "After training, he'd always be practising, practising, practising. But his life changed when he met his wife. She's in pop and David got another image. He's developed this 'fashion thing'. I saw his transition to a different person."

Ferguson went on to say that "so long as it doesn't affect his football it doesn't bother me". However, it has become clear that, despite the carefully orchestrated public relations exercise in which they both released statements detailing their mutual appreciation of one another, they were barely on speaking terms when Beckham left.

This is not the first time that Ferguson has been critical of Victoria Beckham, or vice- versa. In the past she has made little secret of the fact that they rarely, if ever, speak, even at official club functions.

Ferguson, in turn, has been dismayed by the frequency with which she has spoken of her desire for her husband to play for a big continental club.