Beckham and Fergie face new showdown

David Beckham is set for a showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson and his former Manchester United team-mates in America next summer.

United have confirmed they will play in a preseason tournament in the US where one of their opponents is likely to be Real Madrid.

The England captain left Old Trafford for Madrid in a £23million deal last summer after a series of bust-ups with Ferguson and later criticised him in his autobiography.

New Jersey-based Champions World, who are promoting the summer tournament, have yet to reveal who United will play, but say they are in contact with several top European sides of "Champions League calibre".

Madrid are an obvious candidate given the fact that they are already committed to touring America next summer. Champions World spokesman Rich Schneider said: "We are talking to a whole bunch of teams, but primarily top European sides of Champions League calibre."

Asked if any other English clubs were involved, Schneider was non-committal, adding: "I could not be certain but it is possible."

The tournament will take place at several different venues across the US with New York's Giants Stadium and Chicago's Soldier Field already confirmed.

Champions World promoted a similar event last year during United's successful tour of America. Celtic, Juventus, Boca Juniors and Club America of Mexico were also involved. United's clash with Juventus attracted a crowd of 79,000 at Giants Stadium. Unless Ferguson's side meet Madrid in the latter stages of the Champions League, the event could be the first time Beckham lines-up against his former mentor.