ESPNsoccernet understands David Beckham will politely decline any invitation from fans' groups and the Red Knights to put his name to the campaign attempting to oust the Glazer family from their position as owners of Manchester United.

GettyImagesDavid Beckham wore an anti-Glazer scarf after Manchester United's victory over Milan

Sources close to Beckham have revealed that while the former England captain is sympathetic to the fans' cause, which he demonstrated when picking up a green and gold scarf after the Champions League tie at Old Trafford , he will not become a figurehead for the Red Knights crusade to usurp the Glazers.

The message is very clear from the Beckham camp - he is concentrating on his playing career with AC Milan, LA Galaxy, and indeed England where he remains focused on the World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Furthermore, Beckham has no plans to return to England after the World Cup and believes he can continue playing at the highest level for some time yet. However, once he finishes playing, he has his mind set on football club ownership, rather than management or coaching.

Beckham's LA Galaxy/MLS contract entitles him to an option on an existing or new football franchise in the States. But Soccernet understands that in addition to ownership of an American club, Beckham would look favourably on buying into Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy, and for which he retains an unflinching affection.

It is Beckham's love for Manchester United that could persuade him to buy a slice of the Old Trafford outfit, but that would be some time in the future, and certainly only once he has finished as a player. For that reason, and for the moment, Beckham would reject any move, which is now being planned, to ask him to act as a figurehead for the Red Knights campaign.

The Red Knights' assertion that they had Sir Alex Ferguson's support backfired to a degree, with the manager publicly stating that he has a sound working relationship with the Glazers.